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| NAPTIP BOSS, Julie Okah-Donli |
Operatives
of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP),
National Crime Agency (NCA) of the British Government and Guardia Civil, the
Spanish Law Enforcement Agency have in a joint operation disrupted activities of
a Nigerian organised crime gang, Eiye Confraternity in Spain. 39 women victims
of sexual exploitation were rescued in the operation.
The
international investigation into the organised criminal network began when a victim made a report to the
Spanish authorities, detailing how she arrived in Spain along with a number of
other girls.
The victims,
all Nigerian nationals, and many under the age of 18, are believed to have
undergone ‘Voodoo-Juju’ rituals in Nigeria to coerce them if they did not
comply with orders given by the gang leaders. They were then moved by boat to
Libya and Italy, before arriving in Spain.
The women
were forced to live in cave-like houses, in unsafe and unsanitary conditions,
unable to leave and sexually exploited for the sole purpose of financial gain
for the gang leaders, with all money eventually ending up in their hands in
Nigeria.
The money are
said to be laundered through the honour-based Hawala system, popular with
organised crime gangs. Investigators found the gang had numerous women under
their control working as prostitutes to pay off their debts with Eiye
Confraternity – upwards of 30,000 euros each – for the cost of moving the
victims into Europe.
NCA officers
worked with partners to develop intelligence on the network, including carrying
out surveillance on those suspected to be involved, and working with NAPTIP
colleagues to build up information about the scale of the abuse and
exploitation.
The investigation was aided in Nigeria by NAPTIP investigators who are
members of the British assisted Joint Border Task Force (JBTF) who travelled to
Spain to participate and support the Guardia Civil and NCA during the arrest
phases.
A total of
89 people – including the leader of the gang – have been arrested on suspicion
of association to criminal organisations, modern slavery and money laundering.
Forty three remain on remand in prison in Spain, following raids at 41
addresses across the country in November last year.
On 16
January 2018 NCA officers also arrested an alleged Nigerian Madame living in
Middleton, Greater Manchester, believed to be controlling some of the victims
in Spain, and paying money to the Organised Criminal Gang (OCG) back in
Nigeria. She remains in custody awaiting extradition to Spain where she faces
prosecution.
Deputy
Director Tom Dowdall, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking threat lead for the
NCA, said: “This was a complex and extensive operation with deep-rooted
organisation both in Nigeria and Spain.
“Eiye
Confraternity was a highly organised crime gang, exploiting young woman for
lengthy periods of time, keeping them in horrendous conditions where they knew
there would be no escape.
“The NCA’s
international reach was crucial to this success, and we will continue to work
with agencies in Nigeria and Spain to bring those responsible through the court
system. Modern slavery remains a priority for UK law enforcement.”
Reacting to
this development, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli
expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the joint operations. She said that
the outcome was in line with her vision of pursuing human traffickers who are
Nigerian nationals to any part of the world where they may be operating. ‘’Like
I said in my Maiden Press Conference, if we miss them here on their way out
they will meet us waiting for them on arrival at destination’’, she said.
She also
expressed appreciation to the British and Spanish Law Enforcement Agencies for
the confidence reposed on NAPTIP Agents in working together in such joint
operations.
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