January 08, (THEWILL) – The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has begun a comprehensive rehabilitation programme for Miss Odunayo Eniola Isaac, a Nigerian victim of human trafficking recently rescued from Iraq.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the agency on Tuesday, following the directive of its Director General, Binta Adamu Bello.
She ordered officers from the Counselling and Rehabilitation Department, alongside operatives of the Intelligence and International Cooperation Unit to initiate immediate counseling, profiling, and medical assessments for the victim.
Miss Isaac, who returned to Nigeria through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was received by NAPTIP operatives after completing arrival formalities with officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Her return followed collaborative efforts between NAPTIP, civil society organizations, and foreign partners, which were sparked by a viral video exposing her ordeal in Baghdad.
Speaking at NAPTIP headquarters in Abuja, Binta Adamu Bello expressed sadness over the victim’s traumatic experience, describing it as a “close shave with death.”
Narrating Miss Isaac’s ordeal, Bello revealed that she left Nigeria for Iraq on January 22, 2023, through a recruitment agency, WB Warani Manpower.
Upon arrival, she was assigned to work for an Iraqi family, enduring 20-hour workdays with minimal rest. Her troubles began after four months of unpaid labor when she requested her salary.
“Her phone was confiscated to prevent communication with her family. Each time she asked for her remuneration, she suffered severe beatings, resulting in bleeding and injuries. At one point, her madam bound her hands and feet and threw her into a dogs’ cage until 3 a.m. before releasing her to resume work,” Bello narrated.
Miss Isaac’s escape was facilitated through coordinated efforts by NAPTIP and its partners, which Bello commended for their critical support.
The agency has now commenced efforts to assess her medical condition, provide psychosocial support, and ensure her eventual reintegration with her family. Bello also assured the public that NAPTIP would pursue justice for the victim.
In her testimony, Miss Isaac expressed gratitude for her rescue but recounted her harrowing experience with visible emotion. “I thank God that I am alive. I will not wish that my enemy passes through what I experienced,” she said.
The NAPTIP boss also used the opportunity to warn Nigerians against falling for deceptive job offers abroad, especially in volatile regions. She revealed that the agency has intercepted several potential victims at exit points across the country, many of whom were destined for the Middle East.
“Such dangerous journeys can be avoided with simple caution and checks from NAPTIP,” Bello advised.
The Director General reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting Nigerians from human trafficking while urging continuous collaboration with stakeholders to combat the menace.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
