Human Trafficking: Zamfara receives 10 captives from Burkina Faso

The rescued victims were among the 23 people evacuated to Nigeria by Katsina state government from Burkina Faso with the help of the Nigerian embassy in that country.

The ten freed captives, who are from Jaure village in Bungudu local government area of Zamfara, were received by Bala Maru, secretary to the state government, on behalf of Bello Matawalle, the state governor.

Speaking with journalists on Thursday, Hamza Brodo, senior special adviser on drugs, narcotics and human trafficking to Aminu Masari, Katsina governor, narrated how the 23 victims were deceived by human traffickers who promised to offer them better jobs.

“Unknown to them, they had fallen victims to modern day slavery as their traffickers sold them to a woman who took them to Benin Republic,” he said.

“They were then taken to Burkina Faso and subjected to hard labour without being paid and when they asked for their payment they were told that the matter had been settled with their master.”

“This, he added, continued until some of them sneaked out to report their situation to the Ouagadougou Hausa community leader who consulted the Nigerian Embassy.

“In prompt response, the Embassy informed the Katsina State government and Governor Bello Masari sent his SSA as envoy who finally conveyed the ten Zamfara indigenes.”

Mr Matawalle expressed gratitude to Mr Masari for securing the release of the victims.