Immigration Service (NIS),Oyo State Command, has reunited a traffic victim, Khadijat Barugu, a Beninois, to her family in Benin Republic after 14 years.
The Comptroller NIS in the state, Babangida Usman, on Tuesday while handling over the victim to an official from Benin Consule for inward transfer to her parent,said khadijat who was now 21 years old lost contact with her parent 14 years ago.
Usman said that khadijat was trafficked from Benin Republic to Nigeria when she was seven years old by her aunty Matagona and first lived in Kishi, a village close to the border.
The Comptroller said that the victim was eventually brought to Ibadan by one Mr Rasaki and initially worked with one Iya Yomi before taking over by Mrs Jumoke Aderogba.
“Aderogba transferred the victim to her daughter in Lagos to work with her.
“Unfortunately for the victim, she was not able to attend any formal education but for the good behaviour of Aderogba she was able to train her in fashion designing.
“The victim, who is now 21 years old, has spent 14 years in Nigeria.
“She lost contact with her parent in Benin but with the assistance of Aderogba and Benin Consule we are able to trace her family,” Usman said.
The comptroller said that the victim was able to speak with her family through WhatsApp call and willing to go back home since she was able to locate her family members.
Usman said that the victim intended to come back to Nigeria to continue to her fashion designing business and NIS cannot just release her to go back home.
He said that they needed to contact the Benin consule to link up with her family and assurance us of bringing her back to Nigeria because she was willing to continue her fashion designing in Nigeria.
” The family had agreed to allow her come back to Nigeria to continue her business.
“It is gladding to NIS and officials of the anti-human trafficking for taking the pain to link up Khadijat with her family members in Benin Republic,” Usman said.
In his remark, khadijat said that she was happy going back to see her parent and other members of her family in Benin and promised to come back to Nigeria to continue her fashion business.
In another development the NIS comptroller also presented certificate to 20 participants who participated in a free skill acquisition program organised by the Immigration Officers Wives Association (IMMOWA) in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants were trained on skills such as Leather Leather Works,Catering,Sewing, Computer and makeup.
