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Tag: NAPTIP

  • NAPTIP rescues 19 girls impregnated by one man in Abuja Estate

    NAPTIP rescues 19 girls impregnated by one man in Abuja Estate

    •l As Dabiri-Erewa calls for united war against human trafficking

    A Chilling revelation of 19 pregnant girls rescued from an estate in Abuja, impregnated by a single man, has intensified calls for a coordinated national assault on human trafficking.

    The disturbing case, disclosed by the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Hajia Binta Adamu Bello, underscores the deepening crisis of trafficking in persons across Nigeria.

    Speaking during a strategic meeting at the headquarters of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in Abuja, the Commission’s Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa

    described the situation as a national emergency that demands an all-out, whole-of-government and whole-of-society response.

    This is a very dangerous and heartbreaking situation, Dabiri-Erewa said, reacting to the news of the 19 victims. She urged the government to declare a war against human trafficking, stressing that it is not just a NAPTIP problem but a national problem, requiring all relevant agencies to work together.

    “It’s a very dangerous field. We must declare a war against human trafficking. And the idea about the multi-agency collaboration, NAPTIP, NIDCOM, Refugee Commisdion, Humanitarian , even Ministry of Youth need to join us in this fight,” she said.

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    Dabiri-Erewa called for intensified efforts to name and shame traffickers publicly, in the same manner as drug barons, and urged stricter penalties as a deterrent to others.

    The NiDCOM boss emphasized the importance of stronger inter-agency collaboration involving NiDCOM, NAPTIP, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Ministry of Youth Development.

    “No agency can do this alone,” she stressed, and added that NAPTIP needs full support,better funding, flexible policies, and unflinching political will. We must unite to protect our young people from predators.

    Dabiri-Erewa also acknowledged the support of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Wema Bank, civil society groups, neighbouring countries, and Nigerian Diaspora communities in the rescue and reintegration of trafficked persons.

    In her remarks, Hajia Bello reiterated that human trafficking is a growing menace that cannot be tackled in isolation.

    She commended NiDCOM for its consistent support, particularly during the recent rescue of 231 young Nigerians from Ghana, and expressed hope for deeper cooperation between both agencies.

    “We need massive public awareness. Every household, every school, every community must be informed about the evil of trafficking,” she said.

    Bello reaffirmed NAPTIP’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of vulnerable Nigerians, while pushing for broader societal vigilance and accountability.

    The meeting concluded with a renewed pledge by both agencies to intensify advocacy, rescue operations, and policy reforms aimed at crushing trafficking networks and protecting Nigeria’s youth from exploitation.

  • UNODC, NAPTIP, Immigration, others unite to redefine migration governance in Nigeria

    UNODC, NAPTIP, Immigration, others unite to redefine migration governance in Nigeria

    The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and other stakeholders are partnering to reshape the narrative around migration in Nigeria.

    At a high-level meeting held in Abuja, stakeholders gathered to develop a comprehensive policy framework aimed at making migration in Nigeria safer, more orderly, and a source of national pride.

    The meeting marked the inauguration of the Steering Committee for Component 3 of the “Support to Migration Governance in Nigeria” project.

    Speaking at the event, UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Ousmane Toure, emphasised the importance of the collaboration.

    “Today, we gather not merely as representatives of institutions but as custodians of a shared vision: to transform Nigeria’s migration story from one of vulnerability to one of dignity, opportunity, and justice,” Toure said.

    He highlighted Nigeria’s unique position in West Africa, noting that the country’s youthful population, creative energy, and dynamic economy place it at the heart of regional migration flows.

    “It’s youth, entrepreneurs, artists, and labourers cross borders in search of livelihoods, education, and safety,” he added.

    The initiative is expected to strengthen migration governance structures and promote sustainable development while safeguarding the rights of migrants. 

    “But too often, their journeys are marked by peril—exploitation by smugglers, violence at borders, and the anguish of families torn apart by trafficking.

    “This is not just a policy challenge. It is a moral imperative.

    “Today, we gather not merely to address these challenges but to redefine the narrative of migration in Nigeria—to make it safe, orderly, and a source of pride.

    “This project, Component 3, of the Support to Migration Governance in Nigeria, is more than a program; it is a promise. A promise to the young woman dreaming of a better future beyond our borders, to the family seeking safety from conflict, and to the communities striving for sustainable development.

    “Aligned with the UNODC’s Strategic Vision for Nigeria 2030, this initiative is a bold step toward strengthening our criminal justice system, safeguarding human rights, and building a society resilient against the scourge of trafficking and smuggling. Through five interconnected outputs, we aim to fortify policy implementation, enhance data-driven prevention, protect victims with unwavering commitment, empower law enforcement, and foster cooperation across borders and institutions.”

    He also charged the newly inaugurated Steering Committee on the need to think beyond timelines and deliverables.

    He said: “Today, as we review the Terms of Reference and the 2025 work plan, I urge us to think beyond timelines and deliverables.”

    Read Also: NAPTIP receives 231 victims of human trafficking from Ghana

     To the members of this Steering Committee: You are not advisors—you are architects. The National Migration Policy and the Action Plan on Human Trafficking are blueprints, but you will turn them into action. Challenge us. Demand transparency. Insist on sustainability.

    NAPTIP DG, who was represented by Mr. Rasheed Okatinji, Head, Data & Statistics, said, “For Nigeria, the challenges and opportunities presented by migration are both profound and complex. While migration can be a powerful force for development, it also presents risks when poorly governed. Risks such as irregular migration, human trafficking, labour exploitation, and transnational organised crime.”

    He therefore said the project, Support to Migration Governance in Nigeria, Component 3, is timely, strategic, and deeply relevant.

    He added: “It reflects our shared resolve to strengthen Nigeria’s migration architecture in a manner that is rights-based, gender-sensitive, development-oriented, and anchored in strong institutional coordination. Permit me at this point to express our profound appreciation to the European Union for its generous funding of this project.

    “Your unwavering support continues to drive meaningful change in our governance landscape.”

  • NAPTIP receives 231 victims of human trafficking from Ghana

    NAPTIP receives 231 victims of human trafficking from Ghana

    • 27 suspected traffickers among returnees

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) yesterday received 231 Nigerians repatriated from Ghana, including 27 individuals identified as suspected traffickers.

    The returnees, who were handed over to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and NAPTIP by the Government of Ghana through the office of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), arrived Nigeria following a major crackdown on a human trafficking and cybercrime syndicate uncovered in a gated estate in Ghana.

    Of the total number, four are women believed to have been victims of trafficking. The rest were young Nigerian men, some of whom had spent years in captivity, allegedly used for cyber fraud by syndicate heads operating from Nigeria.

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    All returnees received food and a stipend to support their journey back to their respective states.

    Chairman of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, praised Ghanaian authorities for their swift action, noting that the operation exposed how trafficking networks continue to evolve.

    “This is a wake-up call for West Africa. The ECOWAS community must take trafficking and illegal migration more seriously. The traffickers exploit the free movement of persons to lure and trap victims,” Dabiri-Erewa said.

    She encouraged the returnees to hold their heads high and not feel ashamed of their experiences, emphasising that they were victims of trafficking and not at fault.

    “Feel at home—you have nothing to be ashamed of,” she said.

    “We are receiving you on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, who is deeply concerned about your welfare.”

    She urged them to adopt a positive mindset and believe in their potential to thrive in Nigeria.

    “I encourage you to embrace an ‘I can succeed in my country’ attitude and strive to become honorable, productive citizens. May God grant you the strength, courage, and grace to rebuild your lives and succeed legitimately,” she said.

    Dabiri-Erewa disclosed that the governors of the returnees’ respective states had been duly notified of their arrival and were expected to provide necessary support to aid their rehabilitation and reintegration.

    She expressed gratitude to Wema Bank for facilitating the transportation of the returnees and acknowledged the support of the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria.

    The returnees hail from various states across Nigeria, with the highest number from Edo.

    The full breakdown includes Edo (76), Delta (17), Bayelsa (13), Imo (19), Enugu (12), Ebonyi (8), Anambra (6), Abia (9), Cross River (7), Akwa Ibom (3), Niger (4), Kogi (6), Ondo (1) and Osun (1).

    Speaking during the handover in NAPTIP office in Ikeja, an official of the EOCO, in the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Dominic Mensah, revealed that the bust, codenamed Operation Rescue Shield, followed a tip-off about illegal activities being carried out in 26 houses within a single estate in Ghana.

    He said:  “We received a complaint on March 28th from an informant alleging that a group of Nigerians were using young people for cybercrime.

    “Surveillance was carried out, and we launched the operation at 3:30 a.m. one week ago with support from national security and police services.

    “A total of 233 persons were initially arrested.”

    Mensah added that the victims had been lured to Ghana under the pretext of getting jobs but ended up being trapped and forced into cybercrime. Many had spent between a few weeks and several years in the facility.

    Receiving the returnees on behalf of NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Bello, the Lagos Zonal Coordinator, Mrs. Comfort Agboko, assured that the agency would thoroughly profile all returnees and provide comprehensive support to the victims.

    “After profiling, NAPTIP will commence rehabilitation and reintegration processes for the actual victims,” Agboko stated.

    “The 27 suspected traffickers among them will be interrogated and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.”

    On the reintegration plan, NAPTIP said it would work with state governments to return victims to their communities. “We have their states of origin, and we expect the governors to assist. Edo State has the highest number — 76 out of 231,” Agboko said.

    She also confirmed that the youngest returnees are minors, with twelve of them under the age of 18.

    Officials emphasised the need for awareness campaigns, especially targeting youth and parents.

    “Many of the victims were trafficked by people they trusted; relatives or family friends,” a NAPTIP officer added.

    “If your child is promised a job abroad and told not to inform you, that is a red flag,” EOCO’s Mensah warned.

    “Victims were told they would work in supermarkets or offices, only to end up trapped in cybercrime rings.”

    Dabiri-Erewa urged the media to join the fight. “We need to name and shame traffickers. They are as dangerous as drug barons,” she said.

  • NDLEA, NAPTIP set up teams to strengthen collaboration against drug, human trafficking

    NDLEA, NAPTIP set up teams to strengthen collaboration against drug, human trafficking

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have set up teams on both sides to strengthen collaboration on the fight against the interconnected menace of human and drug trafficking as well as substance abuse.

    Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement on Friday.

    According to the statement, the fresh effort was the highpoint of discussions between the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) and the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Lami Adamu Bello when the latter led her management team on a courtesy visit to Marwa at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

    Marwa congratulated Adamu Bello on her well-deserved appointment to lead a very important agency like NAPTIP and commended her for hitting the ground running. 

    He said, “There’s a linkage between human trafficking and drug trafficking and abuse. Some trafficked persons are used as mules, some may know, some may not know, they may give them drugs, sewn into their bag, and they can be drugged to be compliant, to do what they want. 

    “So, this is an area that we should collaborate further by signing an MoU that will actually bring about definite and unambiguous areas of collaboration.”

    He assured her of NDLEA’s preparedness to deepen collaboration with NAPTIP while he named a three-member liaison team that will work with the team from NAPTIP on agreed areas of partnership.

    Read Also: Why NDLEA seeks drug test for corps members, others – Marwa

    Speaking earlier, the NAPTIP boss emphasised the importance of deepened partnership between the two agencies to the disruption of criminal networks involved in human and drug trafficking as well as substance abuse. 

    “Drug trafficking and human trafficking are increasingly connected, both globally and locally. Women and children are used as drug couriers. Victims are also drugged and subjected to substance abuse as a method of control when they are trafficked.

    “Furthermore, both crimes thrive on similar enablers, that is, porous borders, corruption, poverty, weak institutions, and digital space. Intelligence reports have shown overlaps in networks operating in both spheres, hence the urgent need for a coordinated response. We believe that there is immense potential for deepened collaboration between NAPTIP and NDLEA.

    “Some actionable areas could include joint investigation and intelligence sharing, capacity building and cross-training, victim-centered approach, technology and data integration, public enlightenment and preventive advocacy, and legal reforms. 

    “And this could be achieved, by our proposal of the next steps to be taken, that is, setting up of a liaison team to develop NAPTIP-NDLEA strategic action plan for the short to medium term activities, schedule bilateral meetings to review our operation partnership at least once or twice a year, and explore opportunities for international collaboration, which we are all aware that the two agencies are closely partnering with various international organizations.

    “I want to affirm that NAPTIP is fully committed to partnership, professionalism, and patriotic service. We believe that together we will not only disrupt criminal networks, but also protect and empower vulnerable Nigerians who are often the ultimate victims of these crimes”, she said.

  • NAPTIP arrests two ‘traffickers’

    NAPTIP arrests two ‘traffickers’

    • Victims rescued

    Two suspected members of the Cote D’Ivoire human trafficking routes have been arrested and two victims rescued during a raid of a mansion in Abuja.

    The raid was carried out by operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), following a revelation by social media activist, Vincent Martins Otse about children and teenagers trafficked to Cote D’Ivoire for sexual exploitation.

    A series of videos shared by Otse, who was in the French country to see the children, indicated how endemic human trafficking was in the country with some of the children said to be below 12, moved from the North to Niger Republic where they were groomed before being shipped to Cote D’Ivoire.

    In a statement, NAPTIP’s Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, said: “The suspects – Emmanuel Uzor Igwe, 32, and Ugochukwu Christian, 30 – were mentioned by some of the human trafficking victims who are stranded in Côte D’Ivoire during their conversation with the rights activist and social media influencer, Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, alias VeryDarkMan (VDM), thereby prompting his intervention and visit to the headquarters of NAPTIP.

    “They were arrested in their sprawling mansion in one of the estates in the Lugbe, Abuja. The tastefully furnished mansion equipped with various devices also serves as their command Base and residence for the gang.

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    “During the operation led by the Head of Operations of the agency, which lasted several hours due to the high-tech facilities of the smart house that hinder free access, two suspected victims of human trafficking were also rescued.

    “Preliminary Investigation indicated that the victims were recruited by the suspects, subjected to an oath of secrecy, and were undergoing marathonic sexual orientation from the suspects as they were naked and in sexual romp when operatives burst into their rooms,” stated Adekoye.

    One of the victims, Adekoye said, told operatives she was recruited from the southeast and promised a job at a big mall in Cote D’Ivoire.

    “They told me that the mall would be paying me in foreign currencies and that I would pay them back a total of 2.2 million Cfas. They already took us to take an oath in one of the shrines outside Abuja.

    “I did not know, and I cannot recollect the location of the place. But, I know that we travelled for about three hours from Gwagwalada to the shrine,” the victim said.

    According to Adekoye, the suspects’ arrest followed an escalation of conversation and report from the NAPTIP social media platforms and subsequent credible intelligence shared by one of the partnering sister security agencies, indicating the location of the suspects.

    He recalled that Otse visited the NAPTIP headquarters last week to express his concern over the plight of some victims of human trafficking in Côte D’Ivoire and promised to join hands with the agency to rescue them, create the desired awareness on the dangers of human trafficking.

    “He also uploaded additional information through a video post on his handles on the profile of the traffickers.

    “In reaction to the viral video that exposed their activities, the suspects had called their victims and threatened to unleash terror on them if they reneged on their promise to engage in prostitution and pay them the agreed sum of 2.2 million CFAs,” said Adekoye.

    The Press Officer said NAPTIP’s Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello,  reiterated the agency’s commitment to dismantling human trafficking syndicates recruiting, trafficking, and subjecting Nigerians to various exploitation.

    “The arrest of the two suspects is a component of our well-planned onslaught against human traffickers in the Country. They are members of the transborder criminal gangs operating within the West African Region, and it is good that we can lay our hands on them.

    “I recalled that during the visit of VDM to the agency last week, we assured him that NAPTIP shall do the needful. We stand by our words, and in line with our mandates, we shall make it difficult for them to operate in Nigeria.

    “We have also activated the necessary apparatus and initiated discussions with partner state and non-state actors within the neighbouring countries and specifically in Côte D’Ivoire, towards rescuing the victims stranded there.

    “I sincerely thank all our partners and stakeholders with specific reference to the VDM, for their support to the agency. He visited the agency last week, and from the discussion with him, he has a deep passion for the country.

    “He has also demonstrated this with his support towards the evacuation of the victims.

    “I wish to state that the game is over for human traffickers in Nigeria as NAPTIP is ready to choke them unless they desist from recruiting and trafficking of our citizens,” Binta Adamu Bello stated.

    The DG said investigation had started, adding that the suspects and any one connected to the case would be prosecuted.

  • NAPTIP arrests two ‘masterminds’ of Cote D’Ivoire trafficking routes, rescues victims

    NAPTIP arrests two ‘masterminds’ of Cote D’Ivoire trafficking routes, rescues victims

    Two suspected members of the Cote D’Ivoire human trafficking routes have been arrested and two victims rescued during a raid of a mansion in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

    The raid was carried out by operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) following a troubling revelation by social media activist, Vincent Martins Otse, about Nigerian children and teenagers trafficked to Cote D’Ivoire for sexual exploitation.

    A series of videos shared by Otse who was in the French country to see the children revealed how endemic human trafficking was in the country with some of the children said to be below 12 years, moved from the northern states to Niger Republic where they were groomed before their shipment to Cote D’Ivoire for forced prostitution.

    A statement on Thursday afternoon by NAPTIP’s Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, said the two suspects, Emmanuel Uzor Igwe, 32, and Ugochukwu Christian, 30, were mentioned by the victims in Otse’s video, adding that the two victims were rescued from the mansion during a sex romp.

    Adekoye identified the suspects as Abuja-based high-profile figures, adding that they were arrowheads of a trans-border human trafficking syndicate operating within West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea Regions.

    “The suspects named Emmanuel Uzor Igwe, 32, and Ugochukwu Christian, 30, were mentioned by some of the human trafficking victims who are presently stranded in Côte D’Ivoire during their conversation with the popular human rights activist and social media influencer, Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, alias VeryDarkMan (VDM), thereby prompting his intervention and subsequent visit to the Headquarters of NAPTIP, Abuja.

    “They were arrested inside their sprawling mansion, which is located in one of the popular Estates in the Lugbe Area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The tastefully furnished mansion, equipped with various devices, also serves as their Command Base and residence for the gang.

    “During the operation led by the Head of Operations of the agency, which lasted several hours due to the high-tech facilities of the smart house that hinder free access, two suspected victims of human trafficking were also rescued.

    “Preliminary Investigation revealed that the victims were recruited by the suspects, subjected to an oath of secrecy already, and were undergoing marathonic sexual orientation from the suspects as they were naked and in sexual romp when operatives burst into their rooms,” stated Adekoye.

    One of the victims, Adekoye said, told operatives she was recruited from the southeast and promised a job at a big mall in Côte d’Ivoire.

    Read Also: NAPTIP gets kudos for rescue operation

    “They told me that the Mall will be paying me in foreign currencies and that I will pay them back a total of 2.2 million Cfas. They already took us to take an oath in one of the shrines located outside Abuja.

    “I did not know, and I cannot recollect the location of the place. But, I know that we travelled for about three hours away from Gwagwalada to the Shrine,” the victim told operatives.

    According to Adekoye, the suspects’ arrest followed an escalation of conversation and report from the NAPTIP social media platforms and subsequent credible intelligence shared by one of the partnering sister security agencies, indicating the location of the suspects.

    He recalled that Otse visited the NAPTIP headquarters last week to express his concern over the plight of some victims of human trafficking in Côte D’Ivoire and promised to join hands with the agency to rescue them, create the desired awareness on the dangers of human trafficking.

    “He also uploaded additional information through a video post on his handles on the profile of the traffickers.

    “In reaction to the viral video that exposed their activities, the suspects had called their victims and threatened to unleash terror on them if they reneged on their promise to engage in prostitution and pay them the agreed sum of 2.2 million cfas,” said Adekoye.

    The Press Officer said NAPTIP’s Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, in her reaction, reiterated the agency’s commitment towards dismantling all human trafficking syndicates recruiting, trafficking, and subjecting Nigerians to various forms of exploitation anywhere around the world.

    “The arrest of the two suspects is a component of our well-planned onslaught against human traffickers in the Country. They are members of the transborder criminal gangs operating within the West African Region, and it is good that we can lay our hands on them.

    “I recalled that during the visit of VDM to the agency last week, we assured him that NAPTIP shall do the needful. We stand by our words, and in line with our mandates, we shall make it difficult for them to operate in Nigeria.

    “We have also activated the necessary apparatus and initiated discussions with partner states and non-state actors within the neighbouring countries, and specifically in Côte D’Ivoire, towards rescuing the victims stranded there.

    “I sincerely thank all our partners and stakeholders, with specific reference to the VDM, for their support to the agency. He visited the agency last week, and from the discussion with him, he has a deep passion for the country.

    “He has also demonstrated this with his support towards the evacuation of the victims.

    “I wish to state that the game is over for human traffickers in Nigeria as NAPTIP is ready to choke them unless they desist from recruiting and trafficking of our citizens,” Binta Adamu Bello stated.

    The Director General said an investigation on the matter had commenced, adding that the suspects and any other persons connected to the case would be prosecuted if found culpable at the end.

  • Salihu’s appointment as board chair will reposition NAPTIP – Aguele

    Salihu’s appointment as board chair will reposition NAPTIP – Aguele

    A member of the Governing Council, Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Benedict Aguele, has congratulated Comrade Mustapha Salihu, on his recent appointment as Chairman of the Board of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

    In a statement, Aguele, described the appointment as a “timely and strategic move” that would significantly enhance the agency’s mission to combat human trafficking and other forms of exploitation in Nigeria.

    “Comrade Mustapha Salihu’s appointment is a well-deserved recognition of his leadership capacity and commitment to public service,” Aguele noted. 

    “With his wealth of experience and progressive mindset, I am confident that he will play a pivotal role in repositioning NAPTIP for greater efficiency and visibility.”

    Read Also: INSEAD appoints Aguele as board member

    NAPTIP, established to tackle human trafficking, child labour, sexual exploitation, and other forms of modern slavery, plays a vital role in protecting vulnerable populations and enforcing human rights across Nigeria. 

    Aguele expressed optimism that under Salihu’s board leadership, the agency would deepen its impact through improved policy oversight, public engagement, and strategic partnerships.

    He added: “This is not just a win for Comrade Salihu but for all Nigerians, especially victims and survivors of trafficking who depend on the agency’s strength and responsiveness. I believe his leadership will further empower the NAPTIP management team to deliver on its mandate with renewed vigor.”

    Aguele pledged support for efforts that promote human dignity and social justice, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility in the fight against human trafficking.

  • NAPTIP rescues seven Iraq-bound victims in Abuja hotel

    NAPTIP rescues seven Iraq-bound victims in Abuja hotel

    Seven victims of human trafficking billed to be shipped to Baghdad in Iraq have been rescued in a hotel near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja by operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

    The manager of the hotel located at Zamaru was arrested during a raid of the facility by the officials who acted on intelligence, the NAPTIP’s Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, said in a statement yesterday.

    He said the victims were being prepared for their movement to Iraq where they would have been exploited.

    According to Adekoye, stakeholders had noticed unusual movement of some young girls and strange-looking men within the hotel which raised their suspicion about a possible trafficking activity in the facility.

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    He recalled that NAPTIP had in the last few months intercepted no fewer than 60 suspected victims of human trafficking at the Abuja Airport, on their way to some of the volatile and war-torn countries in the Middle East.

    “A critical profiling of the rescued victims indicated that six of them were deceived and recruited from Lagos while one is from Delta State.

    “As was the case with other rescued victims in the past, they were deceived with a promise of a caregiving job in Iraq and are signed off into slavery by two sets of recruiters whose identities are not known to them,” said Adekoye.

  • NAPTIP raids Abuja hotel, rescues seven Iraq-bound victims

    NAPTIP raids Abuja hotel, rescues seven Iraq-bound victims

    …arrests hotel manager 

    Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have raided a popular hotel located at Zamaru, in Abuja.

    The hotel is a few kilometres away from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The raid, according to the Agency, led to the rescue of seven suspected victims who were being prepared to be trafficked to Baghdad, Iraq, for exploitation.

    The manager of the hotel has been arrested.

    NAPTIP, in a statement on Sunday by its Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, said the raid followed credible intelligence from concerned stakeholders who noticed the unusual movement of some young girls and strange-looking men within the hotel.

    The agency said a critical profiling of the rescued victims indicated that six of them were deceived and recruited from Lagos State while one is from Delta State. 

    NAPTIP explained that the victims were deceived with a promise of a caregiving job in Iraq and were signed off into slavery by two sets of recruiters whose identities are not known to them.

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    One of the victims narrated in broken English language: “They told me that I will do a househelp in Baghdad and I will receive good salary every month. I believed them because I think say Baghdad is in another Country. Them no tell me say I dey go work for Iraq”.

    The Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed displeasure over the roles of some service providers in the recruitment and trafficking of Nigerians for various forms of exploitation.

    She warned that the Agency would henceforth invoke the relevant provisions of its Law to prosecute erring entities.

    The Director General, who was represented by the Director of Research and Programme Development, Mr Josiah Emerole, said: “It is sad the way some of the service providers in the Country aid and abet the recruitment, transportation, transfers, and harbouring of Nigerians who are victims of human trafficking”.

    “The hotel is believed to be a muster point for victims of human trafficking to some of the notorious destination countries. The Manager of the hotel is being quizzed and we have also intensified the manhunt for other members of the trafficking gang working in collaboration with other criminal elements in Iraq.

    “The suspected victims are trafficked from different parts of the country and harboured in the hotel. They are further briefed on how to evade arrest at any point by disguising themselves in various forms and answering questions from Law enforcement Officers at the airport.

    “Due to the unpatriotic roles of some of these service providers, the Agency shall henceforth invoke the appropriate section of its Law to prosecute them. This is because harbouring suspected victims of human trafficking is also an offence in the Trafficking law”.

    It would be recalled that the Agency had, in the last few months, intercepted no fewer than 60 suspected victims of human trafficking at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, on their way to some of the volatile and war-torn countries in the Middle East. 

  • NAPTIP seeks synergy to tackle human trafficking in West Africa

    NAPTIP seeks synergy to tackle human trafficking in West Africa

    The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello, has called on relevant authorities across the member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to synergise to eradicate human trafficking from the region.

    She made the call in Abuja during the flag-off of the donation of food items purchased under the ECOWAS-supported project aimed at the protection of victims of human trafficking in the region.

    In a statement by the agency’s Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, the NAPTIP Director-General noted that there is an urgent need to take a significant step towards strengthening collective efforts among member states in the fight against human trafficking in West Africa.

    She said the collaboration is imperative due to the nature of human trafficking and the vulnerability of the West African region.

    She said: “NAPTIP has always recognized the critical need for collaboration to effectively combat human trafficking and provide the necessary support to the victims of this heinous crime. Our partnership with the ECOWAS Commission has been instrumental in enhancing our capacity to protect victims and provide them with comprehensive care.

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    “Through the generous support of the ECOWAS Commission, we have received on behalf of victims of human trafficking in Nigeria, supply of food items and other basic needs for the victims to give credence to the implementation of the ECOWAS Regional Policy on Protection and Assistance to Victims of Trafficking in Persons. This initiative serves as a vital framework for the region, guiding us in offering standardized, effective care and assistance to trafficking victims.

    “The tripartite collaboration among ECOWAS as the donor, IOM as the implementer, and NAPTIP as the beneficiary is a clear demonstration of how collective action can result in meaningful change. The donation of food items today is just one example of a commitment to ensuring that victims of human trafficking in the ECOWAS member states receive the protection and support they deserve”.

    Thanking ECOWAS for their support and IOM for their efficient implementation, she expressed optimism that as a team, a future where human trafficking no longer thrives is possible.

    The Nigeria Permanent Representative to ECOWAS represented by Mr. Ehi Hillary Iyinbo, and the Representative of the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, ECOWAS, Mr. Olatunde Olayemi, hailed the NAPTIP DG for her leadership style, which has continued to result in improved collaboration and modest achievement for the agency and the Federal Government.