Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station

Tag: NAPTIP

  • We have rescued over 1000 victims of human trafficking – NAPTIP

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Kano Zonal Command said that it has rescued no fewer than 1,085 victims of human trafficking from January to July 2023.

    The Public Relations Officer of the zone, Mr. Aliyu Kalli disclosed this while speaking to newsmen on Wednesday.

    He also said the 1,085 victims are a combination of 932 victims of irregular migration, who were repatriated and handed over to the agency through the International Organisation for Migration in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency of Nigeria.

    He added that the Zonal Command in the period under review also rescued 163 victims of human trafficking on their way to the Niger Republic and Libya, en route to European countries.

    Kalli revealed that some victims were rescued in Libya, Niger Republic, and other countries.

    He added that the Agency is responsible for the documentation of victims of human trafficking, as well as their counseling, rehabilitation and repatriation.

    He explained that analysis done by the Agency revealed that 80 per cent represents female victims while 20 per cent represent male victims.

    According to him, the agency in the Zone secured 14 convictions of Human Trafficking for various correctional terms.

    The PRO noted that the Agency under the period in review organised campaigns and sensitisation programmes against Human Trafficking and child labour in the markets, schools, and motor parks.

    He added that the Agency in the zone had inaugurated Anti Human Trafficking Vanguards in Six Federal Government Colleges of Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi states.

    “NAPTIP in the zone has received and treated many cases of domestic violence,” he said.

    He called on the public to provide intelligence to the Agency to curtail the menace of human trafficking in the zone and assured that the door of the Agency is always open for receiving information on human trafficking and child labour.

    He applauded other security agencies, Kano State Government, civil society organisations, and religious leaders for their support.

    Punch / Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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  • NAPTIP Axes Five for Corruption, Leaking Information

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, has dismissed a Deputy Director and four other officers for various offences.

    The spokesperson for the agency, Vincent Adekoye, made this known in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday.

    Adekoye explained that the offences range from corruption to demanding and receiving bribes from suspects and relatives.

    According to him, other offences committed by the officers were leaking confidential information to suspects that endangered the lives of colleagues; violation of oath of secrecy; stealing and alteration of official records and Absent Without Official Leave.

    He said, “These offences are all contrary to provisions of the Public Service Rules and other extant laws and regulations.

    “Two other officers were demoted by two ranks for soliciting for bribe from a suspect of human trafficking, while one officer was demoted by one rank for the negligence of duty.

    “The disciplinary actions followed the approval of the Governing Board of the agency at its meeting on May 25, 2023.

    “At that meeting, the board considered and ratified the decision of the agency’s Senior Staff Committee which earlier sat on the disciplinary matters in accordance with the Public Service Rules and other extant laws and regulations.”

    Adekoye also announced that a Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto had convicted a law enforcement officer and sentenced him to prison.

    He said the officer was convicted on a two-count charge of trafficking contrary to Section 26 (2) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (2015) and was sentenced to five years on each count.

    “This is NAPTIP’s 37th conviction and counting for the year 2023,” he added.

    Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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  • NAPTIP Advocates Harmonization of Child Rights Laws

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP has called for the harmonization of laws relating to child rights to enable the country to tackle all forms of modern-day slavery.

    The Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri made the call in a message on the occasion of International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition in Abuja.

    Dr Waziri said although the slave trade was abolished a very long time ago, the menace has moved to another shape as many Nigerian children are now victims of modern-day slavery which includes child labour, forced prostitution and human trafficking.

    She said many children under the age of 12 were now being forced against their wish or into prostitution as well as being trafficked to foreign countries.

    ‘‘Harmonizing all laws relating to the rights of the child would help NAPTIP strengthen its fight against human traffickers and other agents of forced labour as it will remove all barriers inhibiting our operations.” Dr Waziri noted.

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Dr Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mrs Comfort Ajiboye said the Federal Government was doing all it could to stop all forms of modern-day slavery in the country.

    Dr Anyawutaku said all hands must be on deck to address forced child labour and other forms of modern-day slavery as the federal government cannot do it alone.

    The theme of the Day is ‘‘A Critical Appraisal of Domestic Staff in Nigeria”.

    Oluwaseyi Ajibade/Adetutu Adetule

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  • Osinbajo Advocates Collaborative Efforts Against Human Trafficking

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called for collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking and migration.

    The Vice President made the call in Abuja at the grand finale of the 2022 United Nations, UN Day Against Human Trafficking.

    Represented by Mr Adéọlá Ipaye, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President, stated that it was only by working together that the war against human trafficking could be won.

    According to him, human trafficking is a global phenomenon and encourages everybody to rekindle their commitment so that the fight against the menace can be won.

    He said that President Buhari’s administration had continued to deploy political will in the fight against human trafficking, saying that the drive would continue in that direction.

    Osinbajo congratulated NAPTIP for the progress it had made in the fight and other stakeholders for the support it had given the agency for the feat it had achieved.

    He said that the policy documents would continue to set the agenda and reverse human trafficking in order to ensure the safety of Nigeria in the Federal Government standard procedure.

    The Vice President has called for collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking and migration.

    Represented by Mr Adéọlá Ipaye, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President, stated that it was only by working together that the war against human trafficking could be won.

    According to him, human trafficking is a global phenomenon and encourages everybody to rekindle their commitment so that the fight against the menace can be won.

    He said that President Buhari’s administration had continued to deploy political will in the fight against human trafficking, saying that the drive would continue in that direction.

    Osinbajo congratulated NAPTIP for the progress it had made in the fight and other stakeholders for the support it had given the agency for the feat it had achieved.

    He said that the policy documents would continue to set the agenda and reverse human trafficking in order to ensure the safety of Nigeria in the Federal Government standard procedure.

    “All organisations offering shelters and homes to trafficked persons must ensure people are not exploited, we will continue to scale our efforts in the areas of protection, prosecution and others.

    “We can only win this fight by working together with a common vision,” Osinbajo stressed.

    Earlier, the Director General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi, said that the agency had recently commenced a nationwide establishment of trafficking in persons and violence against persons vanguard across the 110 Federal Government Colleges.

    She said that the vanguard was intended to increase the capacity of students to identify and report incidents of human trafficking and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, in and outside schools.

    She stated that the idea was to raise a generation of young people empowered to advocate against these crimes and promote safe migration as an option rather than irregular migration.

    According to her, we can do a lot of prevention work just by opening their eyes to the problem.

    Waziri-Azi said that the theme for the 2022 UN Day Against Human Trafficking “Use and Abuse of Technology” which featured debate for and against between Baze University, Abuja and Veritas University, Abuja, was timely.

    According to her, traffickers are misusing technology to drive their agenda in trafficking many young Nigerians, saying that, there is a need to change the narrative.

    “Human traffickers now operate online as much as they operate offline. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is the re-enforcement of the need for a digital channel of communication.

    “Human traffickers have also caught on to this digital transformation, there is an obvious shift from physical to virtual recruitment as traffickers have kept pace with technology, becoming proficient at using the internet for their trafficking operations.

    “The theme: “Use and Abuse of Technology” for the 2022 human trafficking day. This theme focuses on the role of technology as a tool that can enable, as well as impede human trafficking.

    “This theme is timely, could not have come at a better time considering the fact that at NAPTIP, we are seeing an increase in fake job advertorials and fake scholarships via social media.

    “Traffickers use it to recruit and catfish unsuspecting victims,” she said.

    Waziri-Azi said that NAPTIP in partnership with the US- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, NCMEC, will enhance tracing and diligent investigation of all cases relating to online child abuse, human trafficking and other related crimes.

    She said that the partnership would also help detect persons who use social media platforms to electronically distribute pornographic materials to either blackmail or exploit victims.

    According to her, the agency is currently investigating its first  “sextortion“  case, adding that it has set up a cybercrime task team that is dedicated to tackling online crimes.

    NAN/Vanguard/Taiwo Akinola

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  • NAPTIP Rescues Aged Burundian Woman, Children From Traffickers In Imo

    The combined operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, and the Department of State Services, DSS, Imo State Command, have rescued a middle-aged Burundian woman and her three children suspected to be victims of trafficking, from a village in Imo State where they were being exploited by their trafficker.

    The victims, Ms Siniremera Bizimana and her three children namely Murwaneza ZerthaMaecy, Akimana Bethel and Umwiza Collins, were set free after an early morning sting operation carried out on their house located in Umunoha village in Mbaitol Local Government Area of Imo State.

    In a statement, the victims were rescued based on a complaint from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees lodged at the Headquarters of NAPTIP and further directive from the Director-General of the Agency, Dr Fatima Waziri – Azi.

    It said the victims who have refugee status in Kenya, were trafficked to Lagos, Nigeria by yet to be identified human traffickers in September last year and thereafter moved to Umunoha, Imo State where they were forced into menial labour of all sorts.

    Their travelling document and other valuable personal belongings were also confiscated by the unknown trafficker in the process.

    According to the Commander, Imo State Command of NAPTIP, Mr Earnest Ogbu, the account from the victims indicated that they may have been deceived by the trafficker into coming to Nigeria and a remote village in Imo State without any resistance.

    Speaking on the development, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri – Azi, thanked all stakeholders and partners who provided information and assisted in ensuring a successful operation that led to the rescue of the victims.

    The NAPTIP boss specifically appreciates the effort and collaboration of the Imo State Command of the Department of State Services for providing the needed operational support.

    Dr Waziri – Azi, gave an assurance that those behind the ordeal of the victims prosecuted be identified and prosecuted.

    Bose Ijelehai

  • NAPTIP Gets New DG


    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Fatima Waziri- Azi,Ph.D as Director General of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) .
    This is sequel to a recommendation of the Hon. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, who expressed the “urgent need for the Ministry to intensify on the existing capacity in the NAPTIP in order to achieve its Key Result Areas as identified.”
    She added that the recommendation of Fatima Waziri-Azi was based on her “pedigree, vast experience and proven track record to drive the agency forward and consolidate on what has been achieved so far.”
    A former Head of Department of Public Law at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Waziri-Azi is a Women’s Right advocate, a campaigner against domestic and sexual based violence and an expert in Rule of Law.
    Garba Shehu
    Senior Special Assistant to the President
    (Media & Publicity)
    September 08, 2021

  • JIFORM Seeks Rescue of 20-year Old Nigerian Lady from Prostitution Camp in Ghana

    The the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) has petitioned National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) seeking rescue of a Nigerian lady trapped in a prostitution camp in Ghana.

    The petition is contained in a Press Release signed by the Forum’s President, Ajibola Abayomi.

                                     TEXT

    May 6, 2021

    Press Statement by the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) for urgent attention.

    Phone : 08036458653.     Email: jiformalert@gmail.com

    JIFORM Petitions NAPTIP, Seeks Rescue Of 20-year Old Nigerian Lady From Prostitution Camp In Ghana

    A 20-year old Nigerian lady (name withheld) trapped in a prostitution camp in Ghana has raised the alarm over threat to her life by an agent that facilitated her travelling.

    This is as an international media body with over 300 media practitioners covering migration matters across the continents, the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) with headquarters in Lagos on Thursday petitioned the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other organizations to come her rescue.

    The lady trafficked since March 2020 pleaded that she was tired of prostitution and endless demands from her slave madam up to the tune of over a million naira out which she had been forced to remit N300,000. 

    During an interview with JIFORM, she claimed that the said amount being forced on her was never mentioned as part of the job negotiation deal by the madam not until she arrived at her destination in Ghana.

    In a Save Our Soul (SOS) petition filed by Ajibola Abayomi, the President of JIFORM containing the full identity, location and contacts of the victim with the NAPTIP, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria embassy in Ghana, Ghana Immigration Service, the lady expressed the desire to return home saying she was ready to be reunited with her family provided her security could be guaranteed.

    The JIFORM President lamented that the pathetic story of the lady called for passionate and urgent attention especially from the NAPTIP in order to help restore both the mental and psychological conditions of the victim.

     “I decided to personally take up the matter after interviewing the parties concerned including the lady trafficked to Ghana. NAPTIP should conduct further investigations by examining in details verifiable voiced notes, hot exchanges and established threat to life. At the end of it all I want the lady returned home safely.  Also anti-human trafficking agency  must ensure that the law takes its course mo matter hose ox is gored. 

    “All the details of the victims including her telephone number and current residential address as well as that of the agent had been forwarded to the relevant authorities for prompt action. My interactions with the accused agent suggests that there is more than meets the eye in this for NAPTIP to handle” Ajibola said.

    The victim who was desirous of greener pastures abroad was said to have been lured to Ghana by a friend who took her to the agent that promised her a befitting job in return.

    Disturbed by the development her aunt, Miss Sarah Amanabo, narrated how the lady got trapped.

    She said the victim eloped without her consent thereby creating a huge concern within their family since 2020 and in the process, her dad passed on.

    “My niece is a subject of concern. She went along with a friend under the guise of getting a better paying job as a bartender. It turned out it was a cover for prostitution and she reached out later on because; she was ashamed to speak to me about it, being that she eloped from home.

    She said she has been sending all money to her Madam, but the Lady insisted she wasn’t working hard enough to pay back her investment and interest. She requested a bail out and the lady has been threatening her with death she wants to come home but the lady has a grip on her mind” said Mrs Amanabo.

    E-signed

    Ajibola Abayomi

    President JIFORM

  • Gov. Makinde To Unveil Maiden Edition Of Diaspora Day

    Governor Seyi Makinde will unveil the maiden edition of the State’s Diaspora Day.

    The event which will take place On April 22 in the Oyo State Capital, Ibadan is themed Promoting Diaspora Investments, Safe Migration and Curbing Human Trafficking.

    This is as the governor’s aide on Diaspora Matters; Bolanle Sarumi Aliyu declared that the state would take the lead to drive both the foreign and local investments into the economy.

    In a statement issued by the President of the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM), Ajibola Abayomi, who doubles as the media anchor for the event, Bolanle stated that the Governor’s blue print on diaspora matters was economic friendly.

    Expressing the governor’s desire to actualize the aged-long economic diversification advocacy towards making Nigeria less dependent on oil, she called on investors both home and abroad to access the tourism potentials and other resources in the state.

    The event will have the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama as the special guest of honour with the participation of Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians In Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as well as Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Director General, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP).

    Bolanle said the event would among other things review the investment opportunities for Nigerians in the diaspora especially Oyo State indigenes with a view to further develop the state’s economy.

    While admonishing the youths to shun irregular migration, she said the state was committed to promoting socio-economic activities aimed at creating more jobs and to restore confidence in the economy.

     According to her, the governor was committed to the eradication of human trafficking and would continue to ensure that the interests of the Oyo State indigenes were protected across the globe.

    Noting that youths in the Southern part of the country dominated the list of stranded Nigerians in the Middle East, the SSA pledged to work with other diaspora officials across the nation to further promote orderly, safe and regular migration.

    Other notable appointees in the state billed for the summit are Chief Bisi Ilaka, the Chief of Staff to the Governor; Professor Oyewo Oyelowo, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Segun Ogunwuyi, the Director General, Oyo State! Investment and private Public Partnership; Princess w Professor Byron Price, the Global Director Diaspora Innovation Institute, City University  USA; Professor Ikechukwu Kanu Anthony from Tansian University Anambra; Dr Williams Ijoma, the President, Organisation pour l’Integrtion Africaine (OIA) Togo; Prince Michael Nku-Abuo, the Director General, Migration Control Services Agency, Cross River State.

    Adewumi Faniran

  • Oyo Kicks Against Slavery Of Nigerians, Seeks Support From Foreign Minister, NAPTIP

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Daispora Matters, Bolanle Sarumi Aliyu has called for concerted efforts towards rescuing several Nigerian men and women from the modern day slavery in the Middle East especially in Oman and Dubai.

    Bolanle, a passionate advocate for decent work for Nigerians abroad made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and the Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons, (NAPTIP), Mrs Imaan Sulaiman – Ibrahim at Abuja on Wednesday.

    The aide of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State sought assistance of the ministry and NAPTIP to rescue some stranded Oyo State indigines in Oman and Dubai adding that there was need to embark on a fact finding mission why Nigerians  were enslaved in some Arabian nations.

    She said the Oyo State Anti Trafficking Task Force was willing to work with the ministry to reintergrate and support the citizens to pick up pieces of their lives back home. 

    She also argued that there was urgent need to ensure that the Nigerian-migrants were protected, so that the to the dignity of labour of the Diasporans would be further guaranteed.

    Assuring that the ministry would continue to promptly respond to the distress calls from Nigerians abroad, the minister said the Federal Government was ready to work with the Oyo State Government and others to address the menaces modern day slavery. 

    Onyeama said the ministry would reach out to rescue every Nigerian in collaboration with the foreign missions but stressed the need for campaign against irregular migration and slavery in the middle East.

    At NAPTIP, Bolanle congratulated Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim over her  appointment as the DG of the agency and commended her for her passion for the victims of human trafficking with the dedication to ensuring that every human trafficker is made to face the wrath of law. 

    The DG said the agency was committed to thorough investigation on any job offer for Nigerians abroad and would ensure that no agent or agency took advantage of the innocent citizens to lure them to slavery again.

    She cited the Philippian Government’s approach to  decent work for her citizens as a template worth emulating and equally pledged NAPTIP’s continued support for the Oyo State Anti Trafficking Task force and the Diaspora Office. Task force and the Diaspora Office.

    Adedayo Adelowo

  • We shall continue to tackle human trafficking vigorously – Humanitarian Minister

    The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouk, has promised that the Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to provide the necessary support and resources to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in a bid to adequately address the issue of human trafficking and other associated humanitarian crisis in the country.

    The Minister stated this in her office while receiving the newly appointed Director General of NAPTIP, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim who was on a courtesy visit to the minister.

    The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development is the supervising Ministry for the Agency.

    It would be recalled that Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has assumed duty as the new Director General of the Agency on December, 21st 2020.
    The minister who described the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, as a foremost agency of government whose mandate is critical in mitigating human trafficking and all forms abuses across Nigeria, urged the Director General to build on the successes recorded by the agency in the past and ensure evidence based activities that will further increase the visibility of the agency.

    While urging her to reach out to partners and other line ministries in order to secure full cooperation of the entire Nigeria, the Minister charged the NAPTIP boss to ensure that her programmes and activities clearly align with mandates of the ministry.

    Earlier in her address, the NAPTIP Director General had reminded the minister that “NAPTIP is the creation of Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA), 2015 as re-enacted, in response to addressing the scourge of trafficking in persons in Nigeria and its attendant human rights abuses in its entire ramification.”

    “It is also a fulfillment of the federal government’s international obligation under the Trafficking in Persons Protocol supplementing the United Nations Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC)”

    She promised that NAPTIP is fully committed to the prevention of all forms of human degradation and exploitation through the coordinated use of the nations crime prevention and law enforcement resources to stamp out human trafficking and to liberate and uplift the vulnerable, especially women, children and youths, from dehumanizing and exploitative employment and usage, with the deployment of the Five P Approach such as policy development, prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnering with stakeholders to ensure their rehabilitation and effective reintegration of victims into the society.

    “However, the agency is inundated with challenges and draw backs that are hindering our growth and development. These challenges have affected the smooth running of our operations towards achieving our statutory mandate. Some of the challenges observed in the course of the review of reports from departments, units and zonal commands of the agency are largely administrative and operational. The agency requires adequate funding to effectively execute its day-to-day operational activities. More so, there is the need for vehicles for administrative and operational purposes. We are equally incapacitated in the areas of inadequate office structure, and funding for operations such as surveillance, raids operations, investigations, and activities leading to the prosecution of perpetrators of the Human Trafficking crime”, the NAPTIP boss said.

    She however assured the minister of the determination of the agency to continue to fulfil her mandates.

    The visit was the first courtesy visit embarked by the Director General since her assumption of office.

    Adekoye Vincent
    Press Officer

  • Àjọ NAPTIP Gùnlé Ètò Ìdánilẹ́kọ Fáwọn Òsìsẹ́ Rẹ̀ Láti Gbógun Ti Ìwà Ìfinisòwò Lọ́nà Àitọ́

    Àjọ tón gbógun ti fífi èyàn sòwò lọ́nà àitọ́, ti bẹ̀rẹ̀ ìdánilẹ́kọ fún àwọn òsìsẹ́ nípinlẹ̀ lórí gbígbógun ti gbígbé àwọn èyàn kúrò lórílẹ̀èdè yíì lọ́nà àitọ́.

    Olùdarí àgbà fájọ ọ̀hún Arábìnrin Julie Okah-Donli ló sọ eléyíì di mímọ̀ lásìkò ìdánilẹ́kọ tó wáyé nílu Èkó, tó sì sàpèjúwe ìdásílẹ̀ ikọ̀ òsìsẹ́ tí yóò máà gbógun ti fífi èyàn sòwò gẹ́gẹ́bí èyí tó se àtẹ́wọ́gbà.

    Óní àwọn akópa tí wọ́n se ìdánilẹ́kọ fún ló wá láti ìpínlẹ̀ Èkó, Ògùn àti Ọ̀yọ́.

    Arábìnrin Okah-Donli wá sáláyé pé, ikọ̀ náà jẹ́ ara ìgbésẹ̀ tájọ ọ̀hún gbé kalẹ̀ láti mú kíwà ìbàjẹ́ yi dópin sọ pé ìpèníjà tájọ náà ńkojú ki ń se kekére pẹ̀lú àfikún pé àwọn ìlànà àti ètò tuntun ni wọ́n gbọ́dọ̀ lò láti jẹ́ kíwà ìbàjẹ́ ọ̀hún di àfìsẹ́yìn fégún ńfisọ.

    Folakemi Wojuade

  • Intensifying Fights Against Human Trafficking

    Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labour or commercial sex act.

    Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide.

    This can happen in any community and victims can be of any age, race, gender, or nationality.

    Traffickers might use violence, manipulation, or false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to lure victims into trafficking situations.

    They also use force, fraud, or coercion to lure their victims and force them into labour or commercial sexual exploitation.

    The tracffikers also look for people who are susceptible for a variety of reasons, including psychological or emotional vulnerability, economic hardship, natural disasters, or political instability.

    Within Nigeria, women and girls are trafficked primarily for domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation.

    Boys are trafficked for forced labour in street vending, agriculture, mining, stone quarries, and as domestic servants as well as child workers at the household level.

    According to International Organisation for migration, eighty percent of Nigerian women and girls arriving in Italy across the Mediterranean are trafficked for sexual exploitation.

    To checkmate this trend, the federal government maintained strong anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts.

    Government adopted the trafficking in persons, prohibition, law enforcement and administration act in 2003 which prohibits all forms of trafficking and it introduced, for the first time, severe penalties for the crime of human trafficking.

    Also, in 2015 the government passed amendments to the act, increasing the penalties for trafficking offenders, which range from a minimum of five years’, imprison and one million Naira fine, to life imprisonment.

    These penalties are not sufficiently stringent, because the law allows convicted offenders to pay a fine in lieu of prison time for labour trafficking or attempted trafficking offenses.

    To address these issues, the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters, NAPTIP, was established in 2003.

    It is heartwarming that states like Lagos, Oyo, Cross River and Ondo have set up a task force on human tracffiking to help reduce the act which poses a threat to the development of the nation.

    The mandate given to the task force to arrest anybody caught doing this business should not be taken with kids glove but with all the seriousness it deserves.

    Other states that have not done so should emulate them to nip the menace in the bud. 

    There is the need to look into the porous borders which serve as lucrative avenues for trafficking business. 

    The practice of entrusting poor children to more affluent friends or relatives may create vulnerability to the act which should be discouraged.

    Parents should desist from selling their children for money and also stop the habit of sponsoring their children abroad without supervision to escape poverty which in most cases expose them to danger.

    Rasheedah Makinde

  • NAPTIP Inaugurates Taskforce in Ogun

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has inaugurated the Ogun Taskforce on Human Trafficking to stem the tide of human trafficking and irregular migration in the state and the country. 

    The taskforce is chaired by the Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Gbolahan Adeniran .

    The Director General of NAPTIP, Mrs Dame Okah-Donli, in a message to the event in Abeokuta, said that human trafficking presented danger to national security, which must be addressed boldly and frontally. 

    Mrs. Okah -Donli explained that the state task force on human trafficking had a pivotal role to play in ensuring adequate sensitization at the grassroots and among vulnerable groups on dangers associated with human trafficking. 

    She pointed out that the task force also had a role to play in providing services and support to victims who had been rescued and returned as well as information sharing and law enforcements.

    She stated that it required strong political will and budgetary provisions on the part of the state government, in addition to the commitment of traditional institutions, religious and community leaders. 

    Inaugurating the 42-man task force, Gov. Dapo Abiodun, said that government must ensure adequate security of lives and property for any nation to experience development.

    Governor Abiodun, represented by the Deputy Governor, Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedele, explained that human trafficking remained a great violation of human rights, saying that government must expedite action to stop the menace in the society. 

    The governor urged the people to support and cooperate with the task force, adding that all the requests made by NAPTIP DG to make the task force succeed would be addressed accordingly.

    The Chairman of the taskforce, Mr. Adeniran, said that the task force would adopt victim-centred approach, saying that it was important to support victims that were trafficked and also suffered violence.

    Members of the task force were drawn from the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), traditional rulers and non-governmental organisations (NGO) among others.

    Wale Oluokun

  • JIFORM Makes Case for Stranded Nigerians Abroad

    The Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) has urged the Federal Government to defer the evacuation mission beyond the August 25, 2020 deadline to accommodate fresh 425 trafficked Nigerian women stranded in Oman and Saudi Arabia as compiled by JIFORM and other organizations.

     JIFORM also called on the government at all levels to declare a state of emergency against human trafficking in the nation.

    JIFORM in a statement by its president, Ajibola Abayomi said that a letter detailing names, state of origin, location, phone numbers and other information about the stranded migrants had been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerians In Diaspora Commissions (NIDCOM), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and others for further actions.

    “While commending Governor Makinde of Oyo State for paying for some 55 Oyo State indigenes stranded in Lebanon recently, JIFORM implored the public to always double check oversea job vacancy adverts by seeking clarifications from NAPTIP and other security agencies where necessary so as to curb some of the strategies being deployed by human trafficking agents to lure the youths to slavery abroad”

    The statement which  notes that although NAPTIP is the lead agency on the matter, says there is the need for collaborative efforts to salvage the situation that needs urgent attention as the Nigerian women are being subjected to various inhuman treatments

     “This is time for the President Muhammad Buhari to further show love to Nigerians in pains abroad largely due to their own faults. We understand the rescue operation gulping huge resources will be terminated by August 25, however, for the sake of humanity, we are pleading for an extension.

    “We categorically stated that there was need to declare state of emergency on human traffickers in order to save the youths. While we empathised with the victims, we are not unmindful of their ignorance to jump into the offer they paid through their nose and are now regretting.

    “The act is condemnable but for the sake of humanity, the nation should not turn deaf ears to the wailing of her citizens abroad having fed up with the ill-treatments meted to them ranging from forced labour, sexual harassment and unpaid wages, the ladies had to escape to different locations while their hosts, mistresses and employers in return initiated various criminal proceedings against them in order to stop them from applying for lawful evacuation” the statement added

    Adedayo Adelowo

  • Human Trafficking: NAPTIP Solicits Synergy among Stakeholders

    As the world celebrates the International Day against Human Trafficking,
    the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in
    Person, NAPTIP, has called for a synergy among stakeholders to tackle the
    menace in the country.

    Osogbo zonal commander of the agency, Alhaji Mustapha Saadu made the
    call while speaking with Gold FM, Ilesa, on the significance of the
    international celebration.

    Radio Nigeria correspondent, Temitope Mosadomi has the details.

    blob:https://radionigeriaibadan.gov.ng/dc7bf276-16e8-41d8-8669-c2ca8d4ee489




  • NAPTIP Secures Conviction of Man for Attempted Trafficking

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, has secured the conviction of one Mr Samuel Ofor, who was put behind bars for his role in the attempted trafficking of 19-year-old Cynthia Ode, to Mali.

    The accused was arrested at the Seme border in June 2017, after successfully procuring travel documents for the victim, with the aim to lure her into prostitution abroad.

    Delivering the judgment at the Federal High Court siting in Asaba, the Delta State capital, Justice Toyin Adegoke, sentenced the accused to five years imprisonment without the option of fine for his role in the attempted trafficking of the victim away from Nigeria, and an additional seven year term for procuring travel documents with the intention to lure her into prostitution.

    Responding to the judgment, the Prosecuting Council for NAPTIP, Mrs. Victoria Oburoh, expressed delight over the sentencing, saying it was a proof of the agency’s commitment to maintain the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.

    Mrs, Oburoh added that the public should be their brother’s keeper and support NAPTIP with useful information that could lead to similar arrests and convictions.

     Oghenero/Asaba

  • Human Trafficking: Osun NAPTIP Boss Seeks Support of Gold FM

    The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, says it would enhance its sensitization campaign to create more awareness on dangers embedded in human trafficking.

    Osun State Zonal Commander of the agency, Mr Mustapha Ajara stated this in Osogbo while playing host to the management of Radio Nigeria, Gold FM, Ilesa.

    Mr Ajara who noted that the agency would continue to adopt measures for eradication of trafficking in person, said the agency had convicted many offenders of the crime.

    The state commander solicited the assistance of the media organization in the area sensitization and campaign so as to reduce incident of trafficking in the state.

    He called on relevant stakeholders in the state to continue to support the agency with useful information to enhance its operations.

    In a remark, the General Manager, Gold FM Ilesa, Mr Damola Tinubu lauded the agency for its ingenuity in eradicating trafficking in the state, saying trafficking was inhuman and unacceptable in a civilized society.

    Mr Tinubu assured the agency of the readiness of Gold FM to collaborate with the agency in the area of publicity, campaign and sensitization.

    Wasiu Ajadosu

  • NAPTIP to Frustrate Human Traffickers in Nigeria

    With the repositioning and strengthening of its intelligence mechanisms, the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP is set to frustrate cabals and others profiting from human trafficking trade in Nigeria.

    Press Officer of the agency, Mr Vincent Adekoye disclosed this at an international virtual summit on zoom.

    While stressing the readiness of the agency to smoke out all human trafficking agents from the country by not leaving any stone unturned, Mr. Adekoye said the Director-General of NAPTIP, Barrister Julie Okah-Donli placed a premium on accelerated actions and collaborations with the media in the fight against child labour, women exploitation and other forms of crime within the purview of the agency.


    He said the post-COVID-19 concern of NAPTIP included a possible increase in the activities of trafficking syndicates, who may take advantage of the huge casualties especially in the destination countries to deceive, recruit and traffic vulnerable Nigerians for exploitation.

    “On our own part, NAPTIP has commenced aggressive enlightenment and massive awareness on all social media platforms to tackle the emerging situation. The Agency has also strengthened its collaboration with other partners including the media in this regard. The intelligence unit of the agency has also been further reactivated” Adekoye stated.

    He solicited corporation from the media to tackle the illicit trade valued worldwide at $150 billion as of 2014 by the International Labor Organization (ILO).

    Worried about the huge numbers of undocumented immigrants spread across Europe and elsewhere, Mr Adekoya said there was a need to cut the supply chain of the world’s second-largest crime as United Nations documented 176000 Africans that departed Libya in 2014 to other continents.

    He revealed the antics of the criminal network in the deal to include an act of recruitment, transportation, harbouring, or receipt of a person, and means using threat or force, coercion, abduction and fraud.

    Other gimmicks listed were a deception, abuse of power, vulnerability, or giving payments or benefits to a person in control of victim with the purpose of exploitation as prostitutes, sexual and forced labour, slavery or similar practices, and lately, removal of organs.

    “The media has a crucial role to play in the post COVID- 19 containment of human trafficking. This is because human trafficking remains a present-day danger and major security threat globally.

    The media should give more prominence to the menace through effective reportage of human trafficking story via unsolicited features, analysis, commentary and other special reports.

    Also, the media should be careful so as not to be used by unscrupulous persons to promote human trafficking through uncensored jingles and other persuasive contents announcing nonexistent scholarship and other voodoo offers abroad.” he added

    Mr.Adekoye noted that NAPTIP had been monitoring the latest trends of human trafficking acts involving mass recruitment of Nigerians to countries like Oman, Arabia, Cairo, Lebanon,  and some African countries under the guise of seeking unskilled labour, sexual and labour exploitation.

    Adedayo Adelowo