The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says, no fewer than 32 suspected trafficked victims have been rescued in Cross River State between the period of January 2016 till date.
The State Comptroller of NIS Mrs, Funke Adeuyi, gave the figure in Calabar, the capital of the State, while decorating 45 newly promoted officers of the command with their new ranks.
Adeuyi said that the suspected trafficked victims were rescued at different border posts in the state by the command’s Anti-Human Trafficking/Child Labour (ATH/CL) unit.
Addressing reporters, she said the suspected traffickers were equally arrested by the command and handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) alongside the victims.
“Between January 2016 till date, we have rescued no fewer than 32 suspected trafficked persons in the state and their suspected traffickers were also arrested and handed over to NAPTIP for further investigation and prosecution.
“We will continue to police the borders with a view to curb child theft and trafficking, illegal migration and others in the state,” she said.
Four officers were promoted from the rank of Assistant Comptroller of Immigration to Deputy Comptroller of Immigration while the other 41 officers were equally decorated with their new ranks.
The State Comptroller advised the newly decorated officers to see their new ranks as a call to hard work and dedication to service while commending the Comptroller General of NIS, Mr Mohammed Babandede, for equipping personnel of the NIS to fight human trafficking, child labour and illegal migration.
Responding on behalf of the promoted officers, Mr Nyong Asuquo, who was promoted from an Assistant Comptroller of Immigration to Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, thanked the NIS for approving their promotions.
He said: “We will work hard in line with the regulations of the NIS with a view to secure all borders from any illegal activities”.