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  • NAPTIP rescues 147 victims, secures conviction of Nigerien in Jigawa

    NAPTIP rescues 147 victims, secures conviction of Nigerien in Jigawa

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Jigawa Command rescued 147 voctims of human trafficking in the state in 2025.

    The NAPTIP Commander in the state, Mr Abdulkadir Turajo, made this known while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse, on Tuesday.

    Turajo said the victims had been reunited with their families after they were given comprehensive counselling.

    He said the command also secured the conviction of a 30-year-old Nigerien, Hassan Alhassan of Garin Idi Village, Niger Republic.

    The commander said Alhassan was convicted for attempting to transfer a male victim from Kano Sate through the Maigatari border in Jigawa to libya, through Magarya in Zinder State of Niger Republic.

    “We recorded 37 cases of trafficking. We recorded 11 border area interceptions and referrals by the Nigeria Immigration Service which involved a total of 97 persons,”the commander said.

    According to him, the command conducted a total of 49 sensitisation campaigns in endemic communities in the state, including schools, markets, mosques, churches and motor parks.

    Read Also: NAPTIP raids Onitsha hotel, arrests four, rescues 17 victims

    “Trafficking in persons has re-emerged in recent times as a modern form of slavery.

    “It is a crime which includes all acts involved in the recruitment, transportation (within or across borders) purchase, sale, transfer, and harboring of persons, involving the use of deception, coercive or debt bondage for the purpose of placing or holding a person in forced or bonded labor or in slavery like conditions.

    “Jigawa is a source and one of the major international routes of human trafficking to Europe and Middle East through Niger and the Chad-Sudan-Saudi Arabia axis.

    The state is also known for high records of cases of sexual abuses and is a major source for internal trafficking for labour.

    “It is therefore pertinent that all hands must be on deck to support NAPTIP Jigawa command in order to effectively tackle and address the problems in the state,” Turajo said.

    He said the consequences of human trafficking, was one of the world’s most hazardous and notorious crimes and a threat to national security and public safety.

    “It also fuels public sector corruption, irregular migration, undermines human capital development potentials, social break down and exclusion, dearth of capable manpower, human degradation, abuse of human rights, spread of diseases, tarnishing of national image and diversifies into a larger organized crimes like drugs trafficking, arm conflicts, terrorism, kidnapping, money laundering and other associated financial crimes.

    The commander further stated that NAPTIP serves as the Federal Government’s primary law enforcement agency entrusted with the formidable task of combating human trafficking in the country.

    He listed the core mandates of the agency as enforcement and administration;coordination of all laws pertaining trafficking in persons, prevention and eradication of human trafficking, establishment of preventive and regulatory machinery, investigation of all cases of trafficking in persons, protection and assistance to trafficked persons.

    Others are; awareness and education, international cooperation, legal compliance with bilateral and multilateral treaties and conventions adopted by Nigeria, collaboration, monitoring trans-border activities related to trafficking in persons and enforcement of 2019 control of activities regulations.

    While appreciating the Jigawa government and all its agencies for  support and cooperation, the commander specifically. lauded the commitment, interest and support of Gov. Umar Namadi to the agency’s war against human trafficking in the state.

    “In the same vein, the command extends its gratitude to all the security and law enforcement agencies in the state.

    The working relationship has been good and making the fight against human trafficking and other related crimes across the state easier.

    “We also appreciate other critical stakeholders such as members of the Jigawa  Anti-human trafficking taskforce, traditional rulers, religious leaders, the Media, CSOs most especially those under NACTAL for their support and cooperation.

    (NAN) 

  • NAPTIP arrests four suspects, rescues 17 victims in Onitsha hotel

    NAPTIP arrests four suspects, rescues 17 victims in Onitsha hotel

    • By Precious Igbonwelundu and Elekwachi Chinedum, Onitsha

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested four suspected human traffickers and rescued 17 victims during a raid on a popular hotel in the 33 Area of Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The operation, carried out with support from the military, followed credible intelligence indicating the presence of underage girls at the facility. Two additional suspects linked to alleged baby trafficking in the South East were also apprehended.

    NAPTIP said four of the rescued victims tested positive for HIV and are receiving counselling and care from the agency, with support from volunteers of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA).

    Read Also: Police urge NLC to shelve Tuesday’s planned protest

    Investigations showed that residents had raised concerns about suspicious activities at the hotel, including the frequent influx of men and the presence of underage girls. The victims reportedly said they were recruited from Benue, Imo, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom states and trafficked to Onitsha for prostitution, with daily remittances demanded by their handlers.

    NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed concern over the victims’ plight, particularly their health condition. She thanked the military and the Gender and Human Rights State Response Team under ANSACA for their collaboration.

    Bello said NAPTIP had launched a manhunt for the alleged “madam” who confiscated antiretroviral drugs given to the victims and barred them from accessing medical care, describing the act as criminal. She added that the owner of the hotel had been invited for interrogation as investigations continue.

    The Director-General reiterated the agency’s commitment to intensifying efforts against human trafficking nationwide.

  • NAPTIP raids Onitsha hotel, arrests four, rescues 17 victims

    NAPTIP raids Onitsha hotel, arrests four, rescues 17 victims

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested four suspects and rescued 17 victims during a raid on a popular hotel in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    Two suspects allegedly involved in selling and buying babies within the South-Eastern States were nabbed during the raid, which was carried out with the support of the military.

    According to the Agency, the victims were recruited from Benue, Imo, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom States and trafficked to Onitsha for alleged prostitution.

    According to a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations Unit of the Agency, Vincent Adekoye, four of the victims rescued were infected with HIV and are currently being counselled by a Team of Caregivers from NAPTIP and volunteers from the Anambra State Aids Control Agency (ANSACA).

    Adekoye stated that the latest operation followed a credible intelligence by a non – State Actor based in Anambra State which indicated the presence of some underage girls within the said facility and the health status of the victims, having carried out a voluntary screening on them after proper counselling.

    The statement read, “Investigation revealed that residents of the area have, before now expressed worry over the unwholesome activities of the operators of the Hotel which has about 45 rooms most especially the influx of men who daily throng there to cool off with the underage girls.

    “During the operation, while some of the victims were caught in the act with the randy lovers, other victims were seen in skimpy wears and bump shots apparently waiting for their usual customers.

    “During interrogation, the victims disclosed that they were recruited from Benue, Imo, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom States and trafficked to Onitsha for alleged prostitution

    “They added that each of them remits the sum of N20,000 to N25,000 to their “Madam” daily by sleeping with about 5 men with multiple sex rounds.”

    One of the victims narrated, “It was my boyfriend who said he saw a job for me here in Onitsha. When I arrived here, the Madam sent someone to pick me up at the park and she introduced me to this hustling job. She said I will work for her and pay N20, 000 daily and that at the end of the year, she will buy me a box filled with assorted clothes and the sum of N500, 000 so that I can be free to go and start my own work. It is not with a good mind that I am doing this job, but it was too late for me to refuse”.

    A victim who is HIV positive said, “When the people came here to test us, they told me that I have been infested, and they advised me and my friends that we need to start treatment to flush out the infection. They gave us medicine. But, after they left, our Madam beat us seriously because we came out of the rooms to see the people who tested us. 

    Read Also: 93 traffickers jailed, 120 children rescued in 2025, says NAPTIP

    “She collected the medicine they gave to us and warned us that we should never go out for any treatment again. I cried and cried for hours, and the more I cried, the more she beat me”.

    The Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, expressed sadness over the plights of the victims.

    She stated, “I want to sincerely thank the Military in Onitsha for their support to NAPTIP during this operation, and also the Gender and Human Rights State Response Team (GHR-SRT) domiciled under the Anambra State Aids Control Agency (ANSACA) in the Office of the Governor who provided timely intervention and collaboration that led to the rescue of the underage girls.

    “I am most devastated by the health status of the rescued victims and the action of their so-called Madam who not only collected the Antiretroviral medicines that were given to them by the good spirited Organization that visited the hotel, but also prevented them from accessing any further medical opportunity. This is a criminal act, and NAPTIP has launched a manhunt for her.

    “The Agency has also invited the Owner of the Hotel for interrogation with a view to determining the next sanction on the facility.

    “As said few weeks ago, NAPTIP shall continue to double its efforts and scale up activities to ensure a good chase for the human trafficking criminal elements in the country.”

  • 93 traffickers jailed, 120 children rescued in 2025, says NAPTIP

    93 traffickers jailed, 120 children rescued in 2025, says NAPTIP

    Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello said the agency secured the conviction of 93 human traffickers and rescued 120 trafficked children last year.

    She also said the agency intercepted over 2,500 potential victims of human trafficking who were deceived, recruited, and trafficked for exploitation within and outside Nigeria.

    The DG, according to a statement by the agency’s National Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, stated this while reviewing its activities in the previous year.

    She said NAPTIP will review its counter trafficking strategies and policies to enhance effective operations and tightening the noose on human traffickers in the year.

    She stated: “The year 2025 was unpleasant for human traffickers in the country. We outsmarted the traffickers and their antics, and this resulted in the impressive number of convictions we recorded. The agency recorded 93 convictions. This is remarkable, bearing in mind what it takes to prosecute and convict one trafficker.

    “In 2025, NAPTIP went after a number of the so called high profiled trafficker, while scores of them were smoked out of their hiding, arrested, prosecuted, and convicted, others are still under close watch. Among the high-profile traffickers were some popular operators of orphanages and care homes across the country whose alleged nefarious activities were busted, and over 120 suspected trafficked children were rescued.

    “In the same vein, NAPTIP, in collaboration with international partners and stakeholders, rescued over 370 Nigerian victims of human trafficking from Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and others.”

    Read Also: Top 10 Africa’s most powerful passports in January 2026

    On measures put in place to continue the fight against trafficking, Bello stated: “As unpleasant as the year 2025 was for the traffickers, I wish to point out that a real hard time awaits them in the year 2026. We have deliberately scaled up our operations to address the evolving challenges and trends. Specifically, we shall increase our collaboration and cooperation with other sister law enforcement agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, and other categories of stakeholders.

    “We shall also increase synergy with actors within the three levels of government, as well as other non-state actors, including the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), to enhance grassroots surveillance and detection of human trafficking.

    “We shall also seek improved relationships and support from the legislative arm through the National and state assemblies, the Executive through the governors and their spouses, and the Judiciary.

    “While we sincerely appreciate the support of all in the year 2025, we assure that NAPTIP shall continue to go after the human traffickers and make 2026 unbearable for them to operate in Nigeria through awareness and enlightenment programmes across Nigeria, with special attention on the unreached locations and villages to reduce their vulnerability and build their resistance to the antics of the traffickers and prosecution.

    “Just a few days into 2026, we secured the conviction of three human traffickers, and more will end up in jail unless they desist from their unlawful acts and criminality”.

  • 93 traffickers jailed, 120 children rescued in 2025, says NAPTIP

    93 traffickers jailed, 120 children rescued in 2025, says NAPTIP

    The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello, has disclosed that the Agency secured the conviction of 93 human traffickers and rescued 120 trafficked children in 2025.

    She also revealed that the agency intercepted over 2500 potential victims of human trafficking who were deceived, recruited, and trafficked for various forms of exploitation within and outside Nigeria.

    The DG, in a statement by the Agency’s National Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, stated this while reviewing the Agency’s activities in the previous year.

    She said NAPTIP will review its overall counter trafficking strategies and policies with a view to enhancing effective operations and tightening the noose on human traffickers across the country in 2026.

    She stated, “The year 2025 was unpleasant for human traffickers in the country. We outsmarted the traffickers and their antics, and this resulted in the impressive number of convictions we recorded. The Agency recorded 93 convictions. This is remarkable, bearing in mind what it takes to prosecute and convict one trafficker.

    “In 2025, NAPTIP went after a number of the so called high profiled trafficker, while scores of them were smoked out of their hiding, arrested, prosecuted, and convicted, others are still under close watch. Among the high-profile traffickers were some popular operators of orphanages and care homes across the country whose alleged nefarious activities were busted, and over 120 suspected trafficked children were rescued.

    Read Also: NAPTIP tackles human trafficking with multi-agency fronts

    “In the same vein, NAPTIP, in collaboration with international partners and stakeholders, rescued over 370 Nigerian victims of human trafficking from Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and others”.

    On measures put in place to continue the fight against trafficking, Bello stated: “As unpleasant as the year 2025 was for the traffickers, I wish to point out that a real hard time awaits them in the year 2026. We have deliberately scaled up our operations to address the evolving challenges and trends. Specifically, we shall increase our collaboration and cooperation with other sister Law Enforcement Agencies, Development Partners, Civil Society Organizations, and other categories of Stakeholders.

    “We shall also increase synergy with actors within the three levels of Government, as well as other non- State Actors, including the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), to enhance grassroots surveillance and detection of human trafficking.

    “We shall also seek improved relationships and support from the Legislative arm through the National and State Assemblies, the Executive through the State Governors and their spouses, and the Judiciary.

    “While we sincerely appreciate the support of all in the year 2025, we assure that NAPTIP shall continue to go after the human traffickers and make 2026 unbearable for them to operate in Nigeria through awareness and enlightenment programmes across Nigeria, with special attention on the unreached locations and villages to reduce their vulnerability and build their resistance to the antics of the traffickers and prosecution.

    “Just a few days into the year 2026, we secured the conviction of three human traffickers, and more will end up in jail unless they desist from their unlawful acts and criminality”.

  • NAPTIP tackles human trafficking with multi-agency fronts

    NAPTIP tackles human trafficking with multi-agency fronts

    • Lagos unveils local-level strategy
    • The Netherlands seeks evidence-driven prosecution

    The Federal and the Lagos State governments have announced fresh measures to strengthen country-wide response to human trafficking and violence against citizens.

    They warned that the crimes were becoming more complex, transnational, and technologically-driven.

    The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and related offences (NAPTIP), Hajiya Binta Adamu Bello, announced this at the opening ceremony of a four-day workshop organised in partnership with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) with support from the Ministry of Asylum and Migration, Kingdom of the Netherlands. The initiative is meant to build an environment that is free of human trafficking and violence against persons in the Nigeria (TIPVAP NG) project.         

    Hajiya Bello said Nigeria must adopt a coordinated, multi-agency strategy to confront “a pervasive and evolving threat”.

    The NAPTIP boss said human trafficking thrives on poverty, conflict, inequality, and abuse, adding that traffickers exploit victims for sexual purposes, forced labour and other forms of exploitation across West Africa and beyond.

    She explained that the workshop was organised to deepen collaboration among investigators, prosecutors, financial intelligence officers, and social workers to improve detection, evidence management and victim support.

    “The complex nature of trafficking demands a multidisciplinary response. We are focused on strengthening response mechanisms and aligning with international best practices, because working at cross purposes cannot defeat the criminal networks involved in these crimes,” she stated.

    The NAPTIP boss cited international trends indicating that trafficking was increasingly linked with money laundering, drug trafficking and corruption, fuelled by armed conflict, economic instability and rapid technological advances.

    Hajiya Bello thanked the Netherlands and ICMPD for sustained support, urging participants to translate lessons into concrete action at the agency level.

    “Every statistic represents a person whose dignity has been violated. Our work must reflect the human stories behind the numbers,” she added.

    In his goodwill message, the Lagos State Attorney-General, Pedro Lawal (SAN) said the state was scaling up community-based structures to combat human trafficking, acknowledging that many cases originated at the grassroots.

    Read Also: Akobo calls for redefinition of universities’ role in Nigeria’s emerging economy

    He disclosed plans to deploy trained officers across local government areas, expand the services of newly commissioned gender and family support units, and build dedicated shelters for trafficking survivors.

    “Lagos is a nation within a nation. Whatever happens in other states eventually impacts us, which is why we are supporting states that want to understudy our systems,” he said.

    According to Lawal, Lagos will implement recommendations from a recent African colloquium on trafficking hosted in the state, assuring of the government’s commitment to national-level solutions: “Human trafficking for one is human trafficking for all.”

    Also, the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Michel Deelen, said the project focuses on building investigative and prosecutorial capacity to dismantle trafficking networks and strengthen conviction rates.

    He said participants will be trained in cyber-investigation, evidence preservation, inter-agency cooperation and case-based problem solving.

    “No single agency can respond effectively to crimes as complex as human trafficking. We hope these four days deepen inter-agency trust and inspire renewed commitment to protecting vulnerable groups,” he added.

    The diplomat commended NAPTIP for its leadership, pledging continued support to Nigeria’s counter-trafficking efforts, which he said was yielding good results based on available statistics.

    The Nation reports that the workshop brought together officials from federal and state institutions in Lagos and Ogun to strengthen integrated national and sub-national responses that combine law enforcement, social protection, political will and international cooperation.

  • NAPTIP, UN Agency, others push to curb digital violence against young women

    NAPTIP, UN Agency, others push to curb digital violence against young women

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP), the Nigerian office of UN Women, and the Sustainable Gender Action Initiative (SGAI) have intensified efforts to protect young women and girls from digital violence, urging them to speak up early to prevent harmful consequences.

    The organisations encouraged young women and girls to report incidents of online harassment, cyberstalking, non-consensual image sharing, and other technology-related abuses, noting the rising prevalence of such cases.

    Speaking at an event marking the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, organised by SGAI in partnership with UN Women Nigeria, NAPTIP called for wider grassroots awareness on the dangers of digital violence.

    NAPTIP’s Assistant Director in charge of Violence Against Persons, Theresa Kuma, said the agency remains committed to safeguarding young women and girls from technology-facilitated abuses. She explained that many young women have suffered emotional distress due to online violations and urged victims to report early so they can receive timely support.

    The event, held at the Palace of the Sakabusayi of Kabusa Community in the Galadimawa area of the FCT, featured the theme: “Unite to end digital violence against all women and girls.”

    The Chief of Kabusa Community, Samuel Kpowu, commended the organisers of the awareness campaign and outreaches, saying that the messages would be taken to all the nooks and crannies of the area.

    Speaking on behalf of SGAI and UN Women, Nigeria, the Executive Director of SGAI, Mrs Mufuliat Fijabi, highlighted the significance of the awareness campaigns, saying that it would go a long way to shape the approaches and perspectives of young women and girls towards digital violence.

    She said, “This year’s theme, ‘Unite to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls Abuse’, highlights the urgent need to address the growing prevalence of online harassment, cyberstalking, non-consensual image sharing, and other forms of technology-facilitated violence.

    Read Also: NAPTIP steps up anti-human trafficking fight with new inter-agency push

    “As digital spaces increasingly shape social, political, and economic life, ensuring the safety and dignity of young women is essential to achieving gender equality and inclusive development.

    “Engaging young women in rural communities is particularly critical, as they often face limited digital literacy, inadequate access to reporting mechanisms, and heightened vulnerability to online exploitation.

    “Empowering them with knowledge, support networks, and safe digital practices builds their confidence to participate fully in online platforms and to resist and report technology-based harm.

    “By raising awareness, strengthening community dialogue, and connecting rural young women to available protection and legal services, the 2025 campaign seeks to close the digital safety gap and amplify the voices of those most affected yet often least heard.”

    Fijabi said the SGAI would continue to be at the forefront of the campaign against all forms of violence and abuses against young women and girls, and commended the huge turnout of participants in the programme. 

  • NAPTIP steps up anti-human trafficking fight with new inter-agency push

    NAPTIP steps up anti-human trafficking fight with new inter-agency push

    …Lagos unveils local-level strategy

    …The Netherlands advocates evidence-driven prosecution

    The Federal Government and Lagos State have announced fresh measures to strengthen country-wide response to human trafficking and violence against persons, warning that the crimes were becoming more complex, transnational, and technologically driven.

    Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and related offences (NAPTIP), Hajiya Binta Adamu Bello, revealed this at the opening ceremony of a four-day workshop organised in partnership with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) with support from the Ministry of Asylum and Migration, Kingdom of the Netherlands under the building an environment free of human trafficking and violence against persons in Nigeria (TIPVAP NG) project).                         

    Bello said Nigeria must adopt a coordinated, multi-agency strategy to confront “a pervasive and evolving threat.”

    She said human trafficking thrives on poverty, conflict, inequality, and abuse, adding that traffickers exploit victims for sexual purposes, forced labour, and other forms of exploitation across West Africa and beyond.

    According to her, the workshop aimed to deepen collaboration among investigators, prosecutors, financial intelligence officers, and social workers to improve detection, evidence management, and victim support.

    “The complex nature of trafficking demands a multidisciplinary response. We are focused on strengthening response mechanisms and aligning with international best practices, because working at cross purposes cannot defeat the criminal networks involved in these crimes,” she stressed.

    The NAPTIP boss cited international trends indicating that trafficking was increasingly linked with money laundering, drug trafficking, and corruption, fuelled by armed conflict, economic instability, and rapid technological advances.

    Bello thanked the Netherlands and ICMPD for sustained support, urging participants to translate lessons into concrete action at the agency level. “Every statistic represents a person whose dignity has been violated. Our work must reflect the human stories behind the numbers,” she added.

    In his goodwill message, the Lagos State Attorney-General, Pedro Lawal (SAN), said the state was scaling up community-based structures to combat human trafficking, acknowledging that many cases originated at the grassroots.

    He disclosed plans to deploy trained officers across local government areas, expand the services of newly commissioned gender and family support units, and build dedicated shelters for trafficking survivors.

    “Lagos is a nation within a nation. Whatever happens in other states eventually impacts us, which is why we are supporting states that want to understudy our systems,” he said.

    According to Lawal, Lagos will implement recommendations from a recent African colloquium on trafficking hosted in the state, assuring the government’s commitment to national-level solutions: “Human trafficking for one is human trafficking for all.”

    Also, the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Michel Deelen, said the project focuses on building investigative and prosecutorial capacity to dismantle trafficking networks and strengthen conviction rates.

    He said participants will be trained in cyber-investigation, evidence preservation, inter-agency cooperation, and case-based problem solving.

    “No single agency can respond effectively to crimes as complex as human trafficking. We hope these four days deepen inter-agency trust and inspire renewed commitment to protecting vulnerable groups,” he added.

    The diplomat commended NAPTIP for its leadership, pledging continued support to Nigeria’s counter-trafficking efforts, which he said were yielding good results based on available statistics.

    The Nation reports that the workshop brought together officials from federal and state institutions in Lagos and Ogun to strengthen integrated national and sub-national responses that combine law enforcement, social protection, political will, and international cooperation.

  • Insecurity fuelling gender-based violence, says NAPTIP

    Insecurity fuelling gender-based violence, says NAPTIP

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has said the insecurity witnessed in some parts of the country is fuelling Sexual and Gender-Based (SGBV) violence.

    The agency said the increasing cases of SGBV underscores the society’s role in changing perceptions and behaviors that condone or perpetuate violence.

    The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, stated this in Abuja yesterday at a press conference on the commencement of the ‘’16 Days of Activism’’, which focuses on ending digital violence against women and girls.

    Bello also said the agency has secured the conviction of over 40 offenders in relation to SGBV, while several cases are pending at various stages in the courts.

    She said: “Due to the escalating insecurity in some parts of the country which has brought about large-scale displacement, there has been an increased level of SGBV across the Country.

    “This simply means additional responsibilities for all frontline respondents and stakeholders. In addition,  society’s role is pivotal in changing perceptions and behaviours that condone or perpetuate violence.”

     We urge parents and guardians to educate young boys and girls on gender equality and respect. Religious and cultural leaders must be at the forefront of advocating for non-violence and the protection of vulnerable groups”.

    On some of the achievements of the agency, Bello said: “The agency has secured the conviction of over 40 offenders in relation to SGBV, while several cases are pending at various stages in the courts.

    “The conviction secured includes two life sentences, the recent being the conviction of a 19-year-old school teacher from Kwali who raped his nine-year-old pupil. The agency has continued to respond swiftly to distress calls by victims through its Rapid Response Team, domiciled within the Violence Against Persons Department”.

    Read Also: Nigerians expect constitution reforms that bring governance closer to them, says Kalu

    The DG also unveiled plans to penetrate unreached locations and settlements so as to reduce the vulnerability of the people and develop their ability to report and speak out.

    She added that the advocacy strategies of the agency would be reviewed to meet the reality of the digital space and the Gen–Z target class of society.

    she added: “In the coming season, we shall be fine-tuning our implementation strategies to tighten the noose on the offenders. We shall scale up the scope and dimension of our awareness and enlightenment campaigns by penetrating the unreached locations and settlements to reduce the vulnerability of the people and develop their ability to report and speak out. Our advocacy strategies are being reviewed to meet the reality of the digital space and the Gen–Z target class of society.

    “We shall increase our advocacy to the critical stakeholders to ensure that perpetrators are served with the commensurate punishment they deserve. The simple message is that it will not be rosy for any perpetrator in the country in the coming season. This is a promise from NAPTIP.”

  • Insecurity fuelling gender-based violence across the country – NAPTIP boss

    Insecurity fuelling gender-based violence across the country – NAPTIP boss

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has said the insecurity witnessed in some parts of the country is fuelling Sexual and Gender-based violence across the country.

    The Agency said the increasing cases of SGBV underscore the society’s role in changing perceptions and behaviors that condone or perpetuate violence.

    The Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday at a Press conference on the commencement of the 2025 16 Days of Activism, which focuses on ending digital violence against women and girls.

    Bello also revealed that the Agency has secured the conviction of over 40 offenders in relation to SGBV, while several cases are pending at various stages in the courts.

    She said, “Due to the escalating insecurity in some parts of the country, which has brought about large-scale displacement, there has been an increased level of SGBV across the Country.

    “This simply means additional responsibilities for all frontline respondents and stakeholders. In addition, society’s role is pivotal in changing perceptions and behaviours that condone or perpetuate violence. We urge parents and guardians to educate young boys and girls on gender equality and respect. Religious and cultural leaders must be at the forefront of advocating for non-violence and the protection of vulnerable groups”.

    On some of the achievements of the agency, Bello said: “The agency has secured the conviction of over 40 offenders in relation to SGBV, while several cases are pending at various stages in the courts.

    “The conviction secured includes two life sentences, the recent being the conviction of a 19-year-old school teacher from Kwali who raped his 9-year-old pupil.  The Agency has continued to respond swiftly to distress calls by victims through its Rapid Response Team, domiciled within the Violence Against Persons Department.

    The DG also revealed plans to penetrate unreached locations and settlements to reduce the vulnerability of the people and develop their ability to report and speak out.

    She added that the advocacy strategies of the agency would be reviewed to meet the reality of the digital space and the Gen–Z target class of society.

    According to her, “In the coming season, we shall be fine-tuning our implementation strategies to tighten the noose on the offenders. We shall scale up the scope and dimension of our awareness and enlightenment campaigns by penetrating the unreached locations and settlements with a view to reducing the vulnerability of the people and developing their ability to report and speak out. Our advocacy strategies are being reviewed to meet the reality of the digital space and the Gen–Z target class of society.

    “We shall increase our advocacy to the critical stakeholders to ensure that perpetrators are served with the commensurate punishment they deserve. The simple message is that it will not be rosy for any perpetrator in the country in the coming season. This is a promise from NAPTIP.”