By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Kano State Hisbah Board has raised fresh alarm over the rising cases of human trafficking after rescuing four women who were nearly smuggled out of Nigeria to Saudi Arabia through a cross-border syndicate.
Deputy Commander-General of Hisbah, Dr. Mujahideen Aminudeen, who confirmed the rescue in Kano on Monday, said the women were lured with promises of employment abroad but were instead being set up for exploitation.
He revealed that the victims had already paid ₦2 million each to the traffickers and were expected to pay another ₦1.5 million after visa processing in Ghana, bringing the total to ₦3.5 million per person. “With that kind of money, one can establish a decent business here in Nigeria instead of falling into these traps,” he warned.
The four women—Harira Muhammad (30) from Jigawa, Sailuba Ibrahim (30) and Rakiya Umar (30) from Kano, and Hadiza Muhammad (35) from Yobe—were intercepted along Zaria Road, Kano, on Sunday. The suspected ringleader, Bashir Sani Ibrahim, was arrested during the operation.
Dr. Aminudeen lamented that many victims of such fraudulent schemes end up in prostitution, drug trafficking, or forced labour under inhumane conditions abroad. He cautioned Nigerians, especially women, to verify opportunities before embarking on foreign travels.
The victims’ passports and details have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation. Hisbah said it would follow up until the case is concluded.