Joint operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in
Persons (NAPTIP), Ministry of foreign Affairs, the Nigeria High Commission
in New Delhi, India, the New Delhi Police as well as activists from the New
Delhi based – Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation known as Vihaan-WMS,
have arrested a notorious Foreign –based human trafficker, Joy Shandy
Okah in a deliberate operation targeting big time traffickers outside
Nigeria.
The successful operation also led to the rescue of three Nigerian victims of
forced prostitution (names withheld) in New Delhi, India.
It would be recalled that the Director General, Dr Fatima Waziri – Azi, on
assumption of duties, had vowed to ensure that high profile human
traffickers across the World identified, arrest, prosecuted and the proceed
of their ill-gotten wealth confiscated and forfeited as restitution to victims
of trafficking.
In order to realize this mission, the Director General has embarked on a
strategic advocacy to expand the pool of the Agency and enhance
operational relationship with critical partners within and outside Nigeria.
Foremost among partners that have demonstrated unconditional
commitment to work with the Agency is the International Police
Organization (INTERPOL) of which the India police is a member.
Explaining how the operation was coordinated, Head of the International
and Intelligence Cooperation Unit of NAPTIP, Mrs. Angela Agbayekhai, said
the prompt directive and support from the Director General greatly
accounted for the success of the operation.
She stated that “On 12 th December 2021, NAPTIP received an SOS via
email from a Nigerian Minor-17 years old (names withheld) who was
deceitfully trafficked from Nigeria for forced prostitution in India. She
requested the intervention of the NAPTIP for her rescue and that of other
Nigerian victims held captive and forced into sex trade by one Joy Shandy
Okah, a Nigerian based in India.
“NAPTIP networked with the Indian based NGO Vihaan-WMS through
intelligence sharing, which resulted in the rescue of the three victims and
arrest of their trafficker on at New Krishina Park near Well Pharmacy
Vikaspuri, New Delhi – India.
“The victims were recruited from Edo, Delta and Rivers States, Nigeria and
trafficked to India for sexual exploitation by Joy Shandy Okah ‘F’, and
her accomplices. One of the victims travelled from Nigeria on 17 th
September 2021, while the other two arrived India from Nigeria on 14 th
December 2021. The victims were subjected to oath rituals in Nigeria
before their eventual travel.
“The victims travelled with questionable Passports and Student Visas. They
were eventually held captive in New Delhi by their trafficker, Joy Shandy
Okah, who sponsored their trip to India. Their phones and travel
documents were seized and they were forced into prostitution to pay up a
debt of N4.5 Million naira each until their rescue on 6 th January, 2022.
“Joy Shandy is currently facing trial in an Indian Court since 7 th January
2022 after her arrest and the victims who are currently in a safe house
linked to Vihaan-WMS and assisting the authorities in this regard”, the
Head of the Intelligence Unit of NAPTIP said.
Speaking on the development, Director General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima
Waziri-Azi, stated that “I have directed that all persons linked with the
recruitment, harbouring, trafficking and sexual exploitation of the three
victims who are based in Nigeria, be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
“We shall take the appropriate legal step to ensure that such proceeds of
crime are forfeited and use to assuage the pain inflicted on the victims”
NAPTIP Director General stated.
The Director General thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the High
Commission of Nigeria to India, authorities of the New Delhi Police, the
personnel of the New Delhi based – Anti-Human Trafficking Organization
known as Vihaan-WMS and other stakeholders whose roles contributed to
the success of the rescue operation and assured them of the sustained
support from the Agency.
Adekoye Vincent
Press and Public Relations Unit
31 st January 2022
