By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Navy has handed over two victims of human trafficking rescued during an operation in Lagos to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), reaffirming its commitment to tackling human trafficking and other transnational organised crimes.
According to a statement on Wednesday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the victims were rescued by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry during a targeted anti-human trafficking operation on July 17, 2026.
Folorunsho disclosed that the victims were formally handed over to NAPTIP at the agency’s Lagos Zonal Command in Ikeja on July 19, following the completion of required documentation and administrative procedures.
He explained that in line with the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedures (HSOP) for handling victims of trafficking, the rescued persons were initially taken to the Western Naval Command Maritime Crime Investigation Desk, where they underwent documentation, biometric capture and other necessary processing before being transferred to NAPTIP for rehabilitation, protection and further investigation.
The Navy spokesman said the successful rescue and handover demonstrated the service’s resolve to protect Nigeria’s maritime and territorial corridors from transnational organised crime while safeguarding the rights and dignity of vulnerable persons.
He added that the operation also highlighted the growing collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and other government agencies in dismantling human trafficking syndicates and strengthening the country’s national security framework.
Folorunsho assured that the Navy would continue to sustain intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency collaboration aimed at preventing human trafficking, disrupting criminal networks and ensuring a safe and secure maritime environment in support of Nigeria’s national security objectives.
Navy Hands Rescued Human Trafficking Victims to NAPTIP
