The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Abuja has paraded 13 Chinese nationals who were arrested for allegedly engaging in prostitution.

NIS spokesman, Joachim Olumba, said the suspects were apprehended in Lagos following a tip off from an informant.

According to Mr Olumba, the immigration service received a report on the activities of some Chinese nationals who connived with some Nigerians to traffic teenage girls into the country under the pretext of offering them jobs in factories.

“Having gathered intelligence information, operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service swooped on the operational locations of the syndicates at No. 18, 24 and 26B Emena Crescent, Ikeja, Lagos,” he said.

“During the operations a total number of 13 Chinese nationals made up of 11 females and two males were arrested.”

He said preliminary investigation confirmed that most of the women were sponsored into the country by some “criminal human traffickers who are currently at large”.

Olumba however noted that “it is unfortunate that we have not been able to rescue the lady who called us, because she only provided the number of the house where she is being held, without the name of the street.”

He urged members of the public to help with any information that can lead to the arrest of the “perpetrators of this ignoble business and rescue of our informant.”

In her statement, the NIS Arresting Officer, Ms Chinwe Obi, stated that the Chinese Embassy in Abuja was in touch with the suspects, and that arrangements were being made to help the victims return to their country.

One of the victims, Lu Yui Suan, however, denied allegations that they were arrested for prostitution.

Lu Yui, who spoke through an interpreter, said she came into the country in June, on the invitation of a friend.