No fewer than 46 women and children intercepted while attempting to travel through irregular routes to the Republic of Chad have been handed over to the Katsina State Government by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

The victims were intercepted at the Maiduguri border in Borno State while allegedly en route to seek better economic opportunities abroad and were returned to Katsina on Friday.

Some of the returnees said their journey was motivated by economic hardship and the need to earn a legitimate living.

One of the victims, Naja’atu Salisu, a mother of two from Zango Local Government Area of Katsina State, said poverty pushed her to embark on the journey.

“We were on our way to Jummaina in Chad when immigration officials intercepted us and brought us back. Our intention was to earn money through lawful means by engaging in trade,” she said.

Naja’atu, who disclosed that she is a tailor, said she raised funds for the trip with financial support from her father.

“I am married with two children aged four and two. I left them behind in search of a means of livelihood. Now, we are appealing for support to start a small business so we can settle down,” she added.

Another victim, Maryam Alhaji Salis, also from Zango Local Government Area, said she planned to travel to Chad to raise money ahead of her marriage.

“I wanted to get married, but I do not have household items, which was why I decided to travel,” she explained.

Maryam added that she borrowed part of her transport fare and sold her remaining livestock to finance the trip.

“Even though household items are not compulsory for marriage, they are still important. By Allah’s grace, I hope to return home once I succeed,” she said.

Also recounting her experience, Ladidi Audu, a mother of eight, said ill health and loss of livelihood forced her to consider travelling out of the country.

“My decision was mainly because of my health condition. I do not have a job and have been struggling to survive,” she said.

She explained that she lost her source of income after sustaining severe burns while frying akara and spent several months receiving medical treatment.

“I was told that poor and sick people receive assistance there, which made me agree to go,” she added.

Speaking during the handover, the NAPTIP Commander in Katsina State, Musa Aliyu, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to combating human trafficking, child labour and irregular migration.

“Our operatives intercepted the 46 victims in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Wednesday. They were received on Thursday, and today we are officially handing them over to the state government,” he said.

Aliyu disclosed that NAPTIP has rescued about 70 trafficked persons so far in 2026, most of whom are women.

Receiving the victims on behalf of the Katsina State Government, the Special Assistant to Governor Dikko Umar Radda on Drugs, Narcotics and Human Trafficking, Shehu Abdu Daura, said the victims were lured by false promises of job opportunities abroad.

“These traffickers deceive people with promises of employment overseas, which in many cases have resulted in deaths or permanent loss of contact with families,” he said.

Daura warned against illegal migration, noting that those who travel through undocumented routes face serious risks and lack protection.

“We are not discouraging legal travel, but people who use illegal routes are not recognised or protected anywhere,” he stressed.

He urged the returnees to embrace local means of livelihood such as farming and trading, assuring them of government support as they are returned to their respective local governments and communities.