Human Trafficking: 40 arrested, 500 others rescued in interpol-led raid

Forty people were arrested and 500 people rescued following a swoop on human traffickers across West Africa, the Interpol announced on Thursday.

The Interpol-led raid comes amid a global outcry sparked by footage of migrants being sold as slaves in Libya, often seen as the final transit for migrants wanting to reach Europe.

In a statement, Interpol said that some 500 people, including 236 minors, had been rescued in simultaneous operations across Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal.

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Forty suspected traffickers were arrested.

“The results of this operation underline the challenge faced by law enforcement and all stakeholders in addressing human trafficking in the Sahel region,” said the operation’s coordinator, Innocentia Apovo.

The arrested persons face prosecution for offences  which includes human trafficking, forced labour and child exploitation.

“They are accused of forcing victims to engage in activities ranging from begging to prostitution, with little or no regard for working conditions or human life,” Apovo said.