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Tag: NAPTIP

  • NAPTIP, NIS partner against human trafficking

    The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have partnered against human trafficking.

    The two agencies have engaged in a joint action against human trafficking and illegal migrants, to stem the tide of the crimes.

    The action was the climax of recent strategic engagements between NAPTIP and NIS personnel, aimed at getting to the root of the problems of human trafficking and illegal migrants and how the two organisations can pull resources together to fight criminals.

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    NIS Comptroller-General Muhammad Babandede, who chaired the event with the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, said about 99 per cent of migrants work in Europe.

  • Soldiers, NAPTIP raid baby factory

    Soldiers attached to 144 Battalion in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, under 14 Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Ohafia, in conjunction with the operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), have raided a baby factory.

    It is said to be located at Oyigbo in Rivers State.

    Our reporter gathered that troops of 144 Battalion in Aba, following a tip-off, arrested Mrs. Rose Onyia, 38, from Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, but living in Oyigbo, Rivers State.

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    She was said to have been linked to a child trafficking syndicate in the state, whose operational base is Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state.

    Also arrested is Miss Kasarachi Uba, 27, from Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    Miss Chizara Monday, 26, from Umugo Oloko in Ikwuana Local Government Area of Abia State and Mr. Udochukwu Chigbu, 25, from Adam Okolomo in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State were arrested for stealing a baby boy named Miracle, whom they sold for N400,000.00 at Abor Mbaise in Imo State.

  • Don’t embark on fatal journeys to desert, sea crossing – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday urged Nigerian citizens, especially the youths, to stop perilous journeys through fatal deserts and sea crossings.

    The President also said that a national policy on internal displacement which would help to regulate the internal displacement crisis and complement the fight against insurgency was in the process of adoption.

    He spoke at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja during the 2018 National Migration Dialogue with the theme, “Realizing the Sustainable Development Goals for all including migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons,”

    He said “I wish to implore our citizens, especially the youth who constitute the larger population of those who decide to take these perilous journeys through deserts and sea crossings and end up losing their lives to desist.

    “I advise them to tap into various Government programmes in order to change their lives and improve their standards of living.” he said

    According to him, his administration is committed to the realization of the SDGs with a focus to delivering hope for all citizens and migrants.

    He stressed that the 2018 dialogue was holding at a time the world was grappling with migration challenges and countries are exploring measures for enhancing the positive impact of migration on development within the context of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    He expressed gratitude to international partners, especially the government of Switzerland through Swiss Development Cooperation, the European Union delegation among others for their support and cooperation.

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    December 18, he noted, has been set aside by the United Nations to celebrate international migrants whose number have risen to 258 million and appreciate their innumerable contributions to national and human capital development.

    He said, “We celebrate their joys and happiness and more so recognize their sacrifices, pains and sorrows.

    “Since the inaugural celebration in 2014, Nigeria has marked this day with a National Dialogue on Migration.

    “This event brings together all those who are working in different migration-related areas including government, international and local agencies and organizations, civil society, academia, private sector and unions.

    “These people drawn from the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory gather to discuss how best to manage migration dynamics in the country. We commend the leadership of NCFRMI in this regard.

    “Migration governance in Nigeria has seen continuous improvement since the expansion of NCFRMI mandate to include the coordination of all migration-related matters in the country as well as the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons in the Nation.

    “This is evidenced by various Government interventions and programs aiming to provide IDPs, Refugees and Migrants with the best tools to become self-reliant.

    “Concrete examples of our efforts include, the evacuation of hundreds of Nigerian Migrants from Libya which was overseen by a delegation of top Government officials, the protection-based activities being offered to asylum seekers and refugees in Nigeria, as well as the planned safe and voluntary return of the thousands of Nigerians currently living as asylum seekers in Cameroun through a tripartite agreement between Nigeria, Cameroun and UNHCR.

    “These are all well thought out activities that will ensure Nigeria remains a migrant-friendly Nation.

    “The theme of this year’s dialogue is “Realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for all including migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).” Migration does not matter just because migrants add to development. Migration also matters because migrants are first and foremost human beings, and are therefore entitled to their fundamental human rights.

    “While we explore, strengthen and promote the migration and development issues, let us not forget the first responsibility we owe to our common humanity, namely, working for the wellbeing of persons of concern, promoting and protecting the rights of each citizen.

    “Our approach to migration must, therefore, be total. As we follow our citizens living outside the country to ensure that they are respected and treated with dignity, we also have the same responsibility to the millions of non-citizens living and working within our own borders.

    “I am encouraged to know that Nigeria has made efforts in the fight against irregular migration. Apart from approving a National Migration Policy which is an overall framework for the governance of migration in the country, the Federal Government has fared well on the implementation of poverty alleviation programs through empowerment, such as N-Power; The Federal Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programs (GEEP) such as; the Trader Moni and Market Moni Schemes, Improvement of Infrastructure in order to provide an enabling environment for entrepreneurs.

    “Several million Nigerians have benefited from the N-Power Scheme among other national social investment programs of this administration.

    “The Federal Government through its relevant institutions has also embarked on sensitization of citizens to the dangers of irregular migration.

    “This is complementary to other institutional frameworks put in place to combat irregular migration, such as the Acts establishing NAPTIP and NIS and sectoral policies like the National Labour Migration Policy.

    “This is all part of efforts aimed at eradicating the drivers of irregular migration such as poverty, unemployment, climate change, conflicts and social inequalities.

    “I am also pleased to say that a National Policy on Internal Displacement is in the process of adoption, which will help regulate the internal displacement crisis and complement the fight against insurgency on which the Federal Government is fully committed.”

    Speaking at the event, the Federal Commissioner for National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Sadiya Farouq, said the event was an indication of the strong commitment of the Nigerian government to the promotion of the plight of Nigerians on the move and those forcibly displaced within and outside the country.

    She said it also demonstrated the responsiveness of the current administration to emerging national and global issues and trends.

    “It goes further to boost the image of Nigeria among the comity of nations.” she said

    Farouq expressed confidence that with critical stakeholders in the migration and development spheres present, they will generate ideas for solving most of the challenges that international migration poses to nation and identify steps to proactively take to realize full development potentials of migration.

    Head of EU delegation to Nigeria, Ketil Karlsen, said the migration has the good, the bad and the ugly side. He encouraged government to minimize the bad and eliminate the ugly side of it which includes breaking up the gangs that traffic human beings.

    He said Nigeria should encourage the good which is the remittances back home, develop those in the Diaspora and eliminate the effect of brain drain.

    Karlsen assured, “We are ready to invest in Africa, we are ready to strengthen our cooperation to break criminal gangs, working with Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) on border strategies, work with students on easy way gain education, encourage European banks to inject the much needed funds into Africa’s s economy.”

    Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Georg Steiner, pledged his country’s commitment to partner with Nigeria to development a comprehensive strategy to migration management.

     

     

  • Ochanya: NAPTIP condemns rape, seeks punishment for aunt 

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), yesterday condemned the rape and death of Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbaje, and has promised to probe the victim’s aunt whose silence may have contributed to the girl’s demise.

    The Director-General, NAPTIP, Julie Okah-Donli, said this at a press conference which held in Abuja on Friday.

    Okah-Donli expressed grief over sexual violence against minors, which she deemed ‘ugly’ and ‘disturbing’ and affirmed that the perpetrators are being charged to court.

    “NAPTIP will continue to monitor the situation in court, ensuring justice to the deceased,” she assured.

    “In addition to the ongoing prosecution of the principal suspects in the matter, the Makurdi Zonal Command of the NAPTIP has been given a directive to ensure that the roles of other accomplices especially those whose conspiracy of silence led to the tragedy, are reviewed for any possible action.”

    The victim, Ochanya, a 13 year old student of the Federal Government Girls College, Gboko, died on Sunday after battling Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) and other health complications at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital after being subjected to years of rape and sodomy.

    The alleged rapists, Andrew Ogbuja, Head of department, Catering and Hotel Management, Benue State Polytechnic, and his son, Victor Inalegwu Ogbuja, a final year student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi allegedly consistently and ruthlessly sexually molested and sodomized Ochanya from age 8 to 13.

    Okah-Donli called on the Governors’ Forum to domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP), to address nagging issues relating to sexual violence happening in states throughout the federation. “The necessary legal framework must be put in place, as no effort should be spared to protect our children,” she stated.

    NAPTIP also called on the society and precisely children passing through similar situations to speak out and report to the appropriate Agency for prompt response.  “It is said that a closed mouth is a closed destiny and that may have accounted for the painful development that befell Ochanya.

    “Children who are victims of sexual violence and rape should defy any threat and open up, and I assure them that succor will come their way.

    “Parents and teachers should keep their eyes on their children and wards by ensuring that they are in safe hands,”Okah-Donli advised.

  • Court jails woman nine year for human trafficking

    A Federal High Court, sitting in Benin, on Tuesday, sentenced a 49-year-old woman, Mrs Christy Ehirobo, to nine years imprisonment for human trafficking.

    Justice Mohammed Liman, in his judgment, held that human trafficking had eaten deep into the fabric of society, adding that despite the plea of mercy by the convict, the law must take its cause.

    “The accused is therefore sentenced to three years imprisonment on each of the three counts to run concurrently”, the judge said.
    The convict, also known as Helen Ehirobo and Mama Jennifer, was tried and convicted on a three count charge of procurement of a person for prostitution and deceitful inducement.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the convict, who hails from Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo, had been standing trial since 2011.

    She was convicted of organising foreign travels which promoted prostitution and contravened the provisions of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibitions) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003 (as amended).

    She was also convicted for having recruited an SS II dropout of Baptist College, Benin, who later became a fashion designer for her sister, Esther Ehirobo, who lives in Greece.

    Reacting, Mr Nduka Nwanwenne, Benin Zonal Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), described the judgment as another victory against human traffickers.

    He reiterated the commitment of the Director General of National NAPTIP, Mrs Julie Okah-Donli, to the fight against human trafficking.
    According to him, human traffickers must surely have their day in court where justice will be dispensed without fear or favour for the good of society.

  • 6,000 human trafficking cases reported, says NAPTIP

    No less than 6,000 cases of human trafficking had been reported, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has said.

    The agency said 3,600 of the cases have been investigated.

    NAPTIP Director-General Mrs Julie Okah-Donli said this in Warri yesterday when she led some staff of the agency from its headquarters and the Benin Zonal office on a visit to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli.

    According to her, the agency had secured 363 convictions while it had 10 shelters across the country to rehabilitate those rescued from the hold of human traffickers.

    She said 836 out of the 13,285 victims rescued from the hold of traffickers were from Delta.

    In 2017, three out of the total suspects convicted were from the Delta state, she said.

    She said Delta was currently ranked second in human trafficking, adding that the agency needed to collaborate with all stakeholders, especially, the traditional institution to fight the scourge.

    Okah-Donli also said that human trafficking was the second largest illegal-income-generating venture after illegal arms deal.

    According to Okah-Donli, in September, the agency employed three former victims whom it rescued and sponsored their university education.

    The DG said that plans were at an advanced stage to introduce the study of human trafficking into the nation’s school curriculum with a view to sensitising young ones to the evils of human trafficking.

    She appealed for partnership and support in the provision of shelters as well as donations of rehabilitation materials for victims.

    Okah-Donli also appealed to the traditional ruler to consider a partnership with the agency that would put a stop to “juju” herbalists aiding traffickers to administer oaths on victims.

    Responding, Ogiame Ikenwoli gave his assurance that he would partner and support the agency in whatever was necessary.

    He commended the agency for its fight against human trafficking, saying it was causing people lots of suffering.

  • NAPTIP parades Sweden-based woman over baby buying, others

    The directorate of Press and Public Relations Unit, NAPTIP recently paraded some offenders of trafficking in persons and violence against persons in Abuja. Grace Obike reports

    Forty three year old Stephany Bassey, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, who lives in Sweden, was recently handed over by the Embassy of  Sweden in Nigeria on the suspicion of trying to procure travel documents for a two-month-old baby suspected not to be hers.

    When interviewed, she insisted the baby was hers, having been delivered of her biologically. She claimed that she had become pregnant for her husband in Sweden but medical examinations could not detect the pregnancy over there. She was advised to return home to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where the pregnancy would be detected and she would be assisted to deliver safely.

    She claimed that she had returned to Nigeria and a baby was immediately detected by a midwife in Uyo, who told her that the fat in her body was too much, which was why a scan and other medical and scientific examinations would not be able to penetrate and detect the baby. It was at that point that she was delivered of a baby boy in a tiny facility in Uyo even though she has never breastfed the baby in three months.

    When DNA was conducted on the woman and baby, the result showed that she bore no biological relationship with the baby. She was therefore arrested when she refused to reveal the source of the baby and handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). When questioned, Bassey insisted that the baby was hers, that she had pushed the baby out herself at the midwife’s, who had pumped her stomach and asked her to push.

    The agency also paraded three more persons for alleged violence against persons.

    One of them was 37-year-old Ifeoma Obinwa, a resident of Dutse Alhaji in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who is alleged to have placed a hot knife on the fire until it was hot then placed it on her 14-year-old housemaid’s thigh and buttocks, leaving her with serious injuries for allegedly beating her child.

    She is also accused of being always physically and emotionally abusive, and said to have beaten the maid with sticks, wire and sharp objects which have left scars all over her head.

    When questioned, she claimed that she had injured the girl out of anger.

    A staff of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Francis Yusuf, the third person paraded was accused of raping his wife’s  17-year-old niece who lived with them at their home in Jilwoyi Abuja.

    The victim, who claimed to have been a virgin until the incident, had to escape from the house through the window. When the suspect was arrested, operatives of the agency took him to his house same day and recovered his bedsheet with bloodstains.

    When confronted with the allegation, Yusuf’s explanation was that “The girl has been menstruating for a while now and staining the house all over; I was going to ask her before now to wash the bedsheet that she had stained.”

    The fourth suspect, 29-year-old Sandra Obiosio,  was accused of subjecting her 12-year-old housemaid to all sorts of abuse and ill treatment so much that the young girl looks malnourished  and harassed. According to the victim, she wakes up at 4am every day to do house chores and prepare the woman’s two children for school, then follow the woman to her shop until 8pm when she returns home and starts chores all over and also carries the baby till around 1am to 2am.

    The victim also had scars all over her body as a result of several beatings from the suspect. When interviewed by newsmen, Obiosio  insisted that she treats the girl well and the girl does not sleep later than 9pm like every member of her family.

    Director, Press and Public Relations Unit, NAPTIP, Adekoye Vincent, while addressing newsmen at the parade in Abuja, said that all the cases are contrary to various sections of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015 (TIPPEA)and Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 (VAPPA).

    He added that as soon as investigations are over on the cases, the suspects would be charged to court. He said that it is important to note that the briefing is in line with the agency’s NAME AND SHAME strategy of ending the twin problems of trafficking in persons and violence against persons.

    He pledged that the agency will continue to regularly brief the public on its operations.

  • NAPTIP rescues 52 victims of human trafficking in Edo, Delta

    The Benin Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) rescued no fewer than 52 victims of human trafficking in the third quarter of this year.

    The Zonal Commander of the agency comprising Edo and Delta, Mr Nduka Nwanwenne, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin yesterday that the rescue was made from July to  September.

    He also disclosed that within the period under review, 15 suspected human traffickers were arrested.

    He disclosed that 37 cases were reported within the same period, while the zone secured one conviction,with 34 cases still pending in courts.

    The Zonal Commander said the Edo judiciary had designated two courts to handle  cases of human trafficking.

    He explained that with this development, there would be speedy trial of such cases, thereby enabling quick dispensation of Justice.

     

  • Tip from NAPTIP

    •Other agencies should learn from its disciplinary actions

    As an agency set up by the Federal Government to tackle human trafficking and other related matters in Nigeria, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is, like Caesar’s wife, expected to be above board. By its very nature, it interfaces with other agencies outside of the country. Therefore, the way its officials carry out their functions has implications for global trust, which is very essential in measuring its efficiency.

    This is why we commend the management of the agency over the disciplinary measures it took against six of its personnel who were found wanting in the line of duty. Some of them were sacked for arranging professional sureties for suspects for a fee and providing information about the operations of NAPTIP to outsiders, also for a fee. Some were sacked for accepting bribes and aiding the escape of suspects, while others were sacked for making sexual advances to victims of trafficking as a condition for rendering service to them. All of these run afoul of the civil service regulations. As a matter of fact, one of them was even retired compulsorily.

    According to Mrs Stella Nezan, NAPTIP’s head of public relations unit, “This development followed the recommendation of the management of the agency who have found them culpable for various offences.

    “This is in line with the disciplinary actions and in-house cleaning embarked upon by the present management to enthrone discipline, dedication, loyalty as well as enhance the operations of the agency.”

    It is heartwarming that the agency’s management did the needful after carefully examining the evidence against the officials. This is the way organisations, private or public, should be administered. When people are sanctioned for misdemeanor in the office, it serves as warning to others who might want to toe similar path to desist lest they face the same comeuppance.

    As Mrs Nezan rightly observed, when the agency’s personnel divulge official secrets to outsiders, they endanger the lives of their colleagues. Such information had endangered the lives of several soldiers in the course of their battle with Boko Haram insurgents. We recall too that such official secrets were divulged to Niger Delta militants a few years ago, when information of what transpired at meetings held at the seat of power got to the militants even before those in attendance dispersed. This is too dangerous to be condoned.

    It is sad that some Nigerians would still want to take advantage of people in distress that they are supposed to protect. NAPTIP was set up to prevent or, at least, reduce the incidence of Nigerians, particularly females, who are transported abroad illegally to be used as sex slaves. Yet, it is the same officials who are supposed to see to this that are the very ones trying to exploit the poor victims. This is the height of man’s inhumanity to man.

    Other agencies should take a cue from NAPTIP. We see a lot of laxities in many public institutions, including internally displaced people’s camps where officials, including military men, exploit the ladies and innocent girls before giving them food and other relief items provided by the government and good Samaritans. Such people deserve to be exposed and punished.

    This is why we would have loved NAPTIP to release the names of the affected personnel instead of keeping them to itself. As a matter of fact, those of them whose infractions bordered on crime should be prosecuted. NAPTIP is under the Federal Ministry of Justice; and if the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had since approved the dismissal of the officers; we want to believe he had reviewed their matter and found them deserving of the punishments.

    As NAPTIP’s director-general, Julie Okah-Donli, noted, no sane person would be happy to render a fellow human being jobless, but then, painful as this might be, laid-down procedures must be followed. This is more so that the way NAPTIP carries out its activities has implications beyond Nigeria. Again, the agency cannot be accused of bad faith, especially as only about 10 months ago, the agency’s management gave cash prizes and plaques to deserving officials. So, it’s a matter of carrot and stick. That is the way it should be.

  • NAPTIP arrests pastor, others for raping minors

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has arrested a 43-year-old pastor and two others for allegedly raping minors in Abuja.

    The NAPTIP Director of Investigation and Monitoring, Mr Josiah Emerole, disclosed this while addressing a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.

    Emerole explained that the pastor, (name withheld), hailed from Ondo state and resided in Dutse Bupma settlement area off Bwari road in Abuja.

    He said that the suspect sexually harassed his 17 year-old house help (name withheld) in victim’s room and used his hands to fondle her breasts and other sexual genitals.

    The director said on one occasion, the suspect allegedly took his sexual harassment to the kitchen where the victims was busy doing dishes.

    While in the kitchen, the suspect used his hands to forcefully bring out the victim’s breast, fondled them among others illicit interaction with her.

    “He subsequently warned her not to utter any word about it to anyone as there would be consequences,” he said.

    Emerole said not comfortable with the situation; the victim reported the matter to people.

    “Those people reported to NAPTIP and then the agency sent in rapid response squad to apprehend the suspect and he confessed to the crime.”

    The director said that the second suspect was a 31-year old man (name withheld) arrested for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl.

    He stated that the suspect allegedly raped the victim severally and finally impregnated her.

    According to him, the suspect usually covers the girl’s mouth whenever she wanted to shout to seek for help.

    He said the suspect would ask her to keep quiet and threatened to stop giving job to her mother as his cook.

    Emerole said that third case involved a 27- year-old airport taxi driver (name withheld), who was also nabbed for allegedly raping 17 year-old girl.

    According to him, the suspect camped and drugged the victim and sexually violated her for some days.

    He stated that all the suspects confessed to the crime and would soon be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.

    When questioned by journalists, two of the suspects denied the allegation while one confessed, saying that he seduced his victim.