Plateau State Government Rescues Trafficked Athlete

The Plateau State Government, in partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the non-governmental organization Ewe Rina Africa, successfully rescued and repatriated Jummai Favour Garba, a 23-year-old woman from Rekwienku village in Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State. Garba was trafficked to Libya under the pretense of receiving a sporting scholarship.

Upon her arrival, she was forced into servitude as a housemaid for over a year to repay her traffickers. Her plight became public in June through a Facebook appeal, which garnered significant attention and support.

The Plateau State Government, through its Ministry of Women Affairs and the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunity Commission, coordinated with NAPTIP and Ewe Rina Africa to facilitate her return. Although specific details of the rescue operation were not disclosed, the agencies involved were praised for their prompt action in ensuring Garba's safe return to Nigeria after enduring years of exploitation.