Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Tuesday reunited a trafficking victim Khadijat Barugu with her family in Benin Republic after 14 years.
Oyo NIS Comptroller Babangida Usman handed over the victim to an official from Benin Consulate for transfer to her parents.
Usman said that Barugu, who is now 21 years old, lost contact with her parents 14 years ago.
He said that she was trafficked from her country, Benin Republic, to Nigeria when she was seven years old by her aunty, adding that she first lived in Kishi, a border town in Oyo State.
The comptroller said that the victim was eventually brought to Ibadan by a man identified as Mr Rasaki and that she initially worked with a woman after which she was handed over to another woman.
He added that the woman later moved Barugu to her daughter in Lagos to work with her.
“Unfortunately for the victim, she was not able to attend any formal education but for the magnanimity of her master, who trained her in fashion designing.
“The victim, who is now 21 years old, has spent 14 years in Nigeria.
“She lost contact with her parent in Benin but with the assistance of her master and the Consulate of Benin Republic in Nigeria, we were able to trace her family,” Usman said.
The comptroller said that the victim was able to speak with her family through WhatsApp call and that she was willing to go back home, since she was able to locate her family members.
The victim expressed happiness seeing her parents and other members of her family after 14 years, promising to come back to Nigeria to continue her job.
