The Anambra State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), on Tuesday, April 27, rescued 5 women from suspected human traffickers.
The Sector Head of Operations, Anthony Ogbodo on Wednesday, said the suspects and victims aged between 14- 29, were intercepted by the Corps patrol team at Umuokpu on Onitsha-Awka Expressway.
He said the 36-year-old suspect, Frank Lucky, claimed he was on his way to Benin, Edo State from Benue State.
Also, the suspect who had attempted to induce the officers, claimed to be taking the women to work as house helps and farmers in their family farmland in Benin.
According to Ogbodo, the case was immediately reported to the Commission’s headquarters which directed the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in the state be alerted for further investigations.
“The suspect was arrested by our patrol team led by Route Commander Ugochukwu Ogbonna when they stopped a black Nissan Primera vehicle with registration number BEN468HP for seat belt violation.
“They were about to book the driver for seat belt violation when they noticed five girls inside the vehicle which triggered their suspicion. The vehicle was later impounded and taken to our office” Ogbodo disclosed.
“The victims who said they were from Vandeikya in Benue State, also claimed they were going to Benin to sell pepper soup and liquor in a beer parlour,” he added.
The FRSC handed over the suspected human trafficker and the trafficked women to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in the state.
