Nigerian Navy Hands Over Rescued Human Trafficking Victims To NAPTIP

The Nigerian Navy has handed over two victims of human trafficking rescued during an anti-trafficking operation in Lagos to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), reaffirming its commitment to tackling transnational organised crime.

The Navy disclosed this in a statement signed by Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho on its official X handle on Wednesday, stating that the victims were rescued by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry during a targeted operation conducted on July 17, 2026.

According to the statement, the victims were initially taken to the Western Naval Command Maritime Crime Investigation Desk, where they underwent documentation, biometric capture and other administrative procedures in line with the Harmonized Standard Operating Procedures (HSOP) for handling victims of trafficking.

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The Navy said the victims were subsequently handed over to NAPTIP’s Lagos Zonal Command in Ikeja on July 19 for rehabilitation, protection and further investigation.

“The successful rescue and seamless handover underscore the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime and territorial corridors from transnational organized crime while ensuring the protection and dignity of vulnerable persons,” the statement read.

It added that the exercise also reflected the Navy’s continued collaboration with relevant government agencies in dismantling human trafficking networks and strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture.

The Navy further reiterated its resolve to sustain intelligence-driven operations and deepen inter-agency cooperation to prevent human trafficking, disrupt criminal syndicates and promote a safe and secure maritime environment in support of national security objectives.