The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has rescued 59 women and children who were allegedly being trafficked from Katsina State to N’Djamena, the capital of the Republic of Chad.
Announcing the development in Maiduguri on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the Borno State Comptroller of Immigration, Muktari Tanimu Musa, said the victims were intercepted at Ngamboru, a border town near Nigeria’s frontier with Cameroon. He explained that the group was travelling with a suspected trafficking agent who allegedly lured them with promises of well-paying jobs in Chad.
“After interviewing them, it became clear they were being trafficked,” Musa said. “The agent deceived them with false employment offers, and many of the victims were unaware of the risks involved.”
The comptroller said the NIS has intensified surveillance along the Maiduguri–Ngala corridor and is working closely with the Borno State Government to strengthen border security and curb human trafficking along the route.
He warned Nigerians to be cautious of individuals offering foreign job opportunities, particularly those advertising so-called white-collar jobs abroad.
“We always encourage people to travel through proper visa procedures and migrate with dignity,” Musa said, adding that legitimate employment opportunities exist within Nigeria.
Musa also cautioned that trafficking syndicates often exploit victims for criminal activities, including organ harvesting, and noted that such networks sometimes operate with the support of local collaborators.
“These crimes are sometimes aided by community members. However, recent successes were achieved through stronger cooperation with transport operators, drug control officers, and community leaders in Banki and Ngamboru Ngala,” he said.
He disclosed that he had recently visited several border communities to engage with local leaders and stakeholders, urging them to provide timely intelligence to security agencies.
The NIS has profiled the rescued victims and will hand them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further care and investigation.
Musa also appealed to media organisations to continue supporting public awareness campaigns against irregular migration and human trafficking.
“The media play a crucial role in educating communities about the dangers of human trafficking. Their support is essential,” he said.
