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Tag: NAPTIP

  • Over 12,000 rescued from being trafficked, says NAPTIP

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has so far rescued over 12,000 Nigerians from being trafficked and convicted 389 human traffickers since inception.

    NAPTIP Zonal Director, Lagos Chapter, Mrs. Kehinde Akomolafe, disclosed this yesterday at a Conference/Awareness Campaign on Prostitution/Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Lagos.

    Akomolafe, who spoke on Causes/Effects of human Trafficking and Society, highlighted causes of human trafficking to include greed, laziness, ignorance, among others, said that agency was now more committed and determined than ever to prosecute anyone involved in human trafficking no matter how highly placed in the society.

    According to Akomolafe, NAPTIP condemns people using under-aged children as house helps, pointing out that anyone caught in the act would face the wrath of law.

    The campaign, according to the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Lola Akande, was designed to create awareness among the populace on prostitution and human trafficking in Lagos, and the state has employed various measures to eliminate the ugly trend of human trafficking.

    Akande who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Abiola Liadi, highlighted some of the measures to contain the human trafficking to include sensitisation of the populace through conference and seminars, empowerment and vocational training for women to alleviate poverty which is said to be one of the root causes of human trafficking.

    “In this regard, Lagos State government through the ministry organised massive vocational skills acquisition trainings for residents of the state, especially women. So far, over 50,000 trainees graduated from our 17 functional centres located in different parts of the state since inception till date,” said Liadi.

     

     

  • Human Trafficking: NAPTIP to establish desks at airports

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said it is stepping up measures to prevent, combat and eradicate trafficking in persons in the country.

    The agency’s Assistant Director, Public Enlightenment, Mrs Ebele Ulasi, NAPTIP, said this in Abuja at World Day Against Human Trafficking organised by U.S. Embassy in Abuja in collaboration with Devatop Centre.

    Ulasi said the agency had resolved to establish desks at points of entry at the nation’s international airports “to destroy trafficking business in the country.”

    She added that the measure was to do thorough checking of travellers with a bid to crack down suspected traffickers and rescue the victims.

    The assistant director said that the agency had on various occasions burst trafficking cartels associated with high profile individuals in the country

    She said: “trafficking in persons is a degraded crime as traffickers profit from peoples’ hopes and despair. They prey on the vulnerable and rob them of their fundamental rights. Women, children, young girls and boys are always the target.”

    She expressed concern that victims were most times sexually exploited, including involuntary prostitution, forced marriage and sexual slavery.

    She added that some victims had their organs harvested and sold by the traffickers.

    Ulasi said that the agency had also concluded arrangements to introduce “Traffic In Persons (TIP)’’ as subject into the curriculum of primary and secondary schools.

    She noted that NAPTIP was collaborating with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) on the proposal “to create awareness among children of school age.

    “We are working with NERDC to try to get this done. We are doing this because part of the mandate of NAPTIP is to create awareness, sensitise the masses on the prevalence and dangers associated with human trafficking.

    “In taking up these challenges, we keep looking for means of creating permanent awareness, especially for children under the age of 18.”

    Acting Deputy Chief of Mission in the U.S. Embassy, Aruna Amirthanayagam, said the U.S. was committed to joining forces with Federal Government to end human trafficking.

    Amirthanayagam said all hands must be on deck to ensure that the business of human trafficking did not thrive.

    “I hope that something stirs within you, where you can no longer sit at the side-lines and allow men and women, children and young adults to be exploited in your communities and nation,” he said.

    The Provost of Police Public Relations School, Retired Commissioner of Police, Emannuel Ojukwu, said that the fight against trafficking in persons was a business of everybody.

     

  • 10,500 Nigerians rescued from Libya – NAPTIP

    The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Dame Julie Okah-Donli, said on Monday that at least 10,500 Nigerians have been rescued from Libya.

    This number includes the 3,500 rescued by the Federal Government and over 7,000 repatriated from the North African country by the International Organization for Migration (IMO).

    She said the agency has so far recorded 359 convictions against traffickers since inception and 43 this year alone.

    The NAPTIP chief added that 10 potential Russia- bound human trafficking victims were rescued at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on their way out of the country.

    Address journalists in Abuja at a press conference to mark the agencies 15th anniversary and the 2018 World day against human trafficking, Okah-Donli said NAPTIP has written to the Ministry of Sports, inviting people who returned from the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia to report at its office.

    She said: “With regards to Libya, so far we gave been able to rescue 3,500, IOM has rescued over 7,000 and it is a work in progress. So giving figures might not be doing justice because almost every week we have returnees to Nigeria. So it is not easy to just pin a figure at it because we may get a plane tomorrow or next.

    “For the reintegration of the victims, we have 10 shelters. We give them psychosocial support, those who want to go to school were given the opportunity and those who want to acquire some skills, they do that. We reintegrate them back into the society at the end of the day.”

  • Housemaids: NAPTIP warns against employing children below 12

    … As agency holds church service to mark World Human Trafficking Day

     

    The National Agency For Prohibition Of Trafficking In Persons ( NAPTIP ), on Sunday warned people using children below the age of 12 years as housemaids.

    NAPTIP described the act as child trafficking.

    Director General (DG) of NAPTIP, Julie Okay – Donli gave the warning in Abuja during a thanksgiving service at Diocese of Anglican Church, Maitama, Abuja as part of the activities earmarked for World Human Trafficking Day.

    Mrs. Okay-Donli said the thanksgiving was to further educate people on human trafficking as most people do not really understand what it means.

    While condemning the act of using under age children for house help, the DG also warned people that adopt children to always follow due process.

    Her words: “We also want to talk about the issue of adoption. A lot of people buy children, you don’t need to buy, there are legal ways of getting children. We found out that so many women who are buying children even deceived their husbands, claiming they are pregnant for 9 months then later go and buy children.”

    Donli added that in the last one year, the agency has been able to secure 43 convictions and about 359 convictions and numerous arrest since its inception.

    The clergy men later prayed for NAPTIP workers at the service for God’s protection in the line of duty.

    She concluded that the activities on World Human Trafficking will commence today with a walk starting by 10 am at Old Parade Ground, Abuja.

  • NAPTIP warns against employing minors

    The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), yesterday warned people employing children below 12 years as housemaids.

    It described the act as child trafficking.

    The Director-General (DG) of NAPTIP, Mrs. Julie Okay-Donli, gave the warning in Abuja during a thanksgiving service at Diocese of Anglican Church, Maitama, Abuja, as part of activities to mark  World Human Trafficking Day.

    She said the thanksgiving was to educate people on human trafficking, as most people don’t understand what it meant.

    Condemning the act of using underage children for house help, she advised people who adopted children to follow due process.

    “We also want to talk about adoption. A lot of people buy children. You don’t need to buy. There are legal ways of getting children. We’ve found out that many women, who are buying children, even deceive their husbands, claiming they are pregnant for nine months, then later go and buy children.”

    Okay-Donli added that in the last one year, the agency secured many convictions, and  and made arrests.

    She said activities on World Human Trafficking begins today with a walk, starting 10 am, at Old Parade Ground, Abuja.

    Clergymen later asked God to protect NAPTIP workers.

     

  • NAPTIP renews fight against human trafficking

    Effective implementation of  Child Right Act by key stakeholders would help tame child labour across the country, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said at the weekend in Lagos.

    The agency said it had started intensive advocacy with stakeholders to enhance nationwide domestication and the effective implementation of the Act.

    Its Director-General, Julie Okah–Donli, said the advocacy include interface with the National Assembly, governors, state Houses of Assembly, the judiciary, relevant professional bodies, diplomatic communities, the media, civil society organisations, international partners and other key stakeholders.

    She said: “NAPTIP as an agency created by the Federal Government for the protection of children from trafficking, child labour and abuse, has commenced purposeful advocacy across the country on the need to enhance the understanding and implementation of the Child Right Act.

    “It is sad to note that many individuals, organisations and even a group of people have continued to hide under one form of corporate protection or the other to abuse children.

    “I just received some concerned youths recently and their testimonies about the level of child abuse and violation by some highly placed individuals were heart breaking.

     

    “It has come to the knowledge of the Agency that even some of our children who were believed to be protected under the custody of revered educational institutions are the worst victims. It was gathered that administrators of those schools have continued to feast on the innocent children at will.”

    She said the worst scenario is the case of children rescued from some difficult environments due to insurgency who are further subjected to unimaginable level of sexual abuse and exploitation by the very personalities that have sworn to protect them.

    “The big question that is begging for answer is why is it that when there is a global economic recession and financial crunch, it is the child that is given out to work as domestic helpers and in hazardous places and he or she bears the brunt?

    Why is it that when there is a sexual desire within the family, it is the child that is sacrificed? This must change,” she said.

    She said NAPTIP has commenced a nationwide advocacy to drum support for the accelerated implementation and domestication of Child Rights Act across the country.

    “Already, we have kicked off consultations with stakeholders at all levels. Our operatives have been dispatched to those areas and establishments where the rights of Nigerian children are being taken for granted. These include those confined institutions, quarries, cocoa plantations and other areas,” she said.

    While calling on policy makers across the country to consider the plight of children when formulating policies, the Director–General called on children to always speak out when abused so that help can come their way speedily.

  • US deports 34 Nigerians

    No fewer than 34 Nigerians were on Wednesday deported from the United States of America for allegedly committing offences in the country.

    The deportees arrived at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMlA), Lagos at about 2.30 p.m.

    The deportees, comprising 32 males and two females, were brought back in a chartered Omni Air International aircraft with Registration Number W342AX.

    Spokesman of the Lagos Airport Police Command, DSP Joseph Alabi, confirmed the development to our reporter.

    Alabi said, “at about 14.30 hours (2.30 p.m.), we received 34 Nigerians who were brought back from the United States. They were made up of 32 males and two females. ”

    He said the 25 of the deportees were alleged to have committed criminal offences, with one involved in narcotics while others were alleged to have committed immigration-related offences.

    Read Also: 20 Kenyans, others deported from United States

    Alabi said the deportees were received by officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Police.

    Also on ground to receive them were officials of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    He said that the deportees were profiled by the relevant authorities and allowed to depart to their various destinations.

  • NAPTIP warns against abuse of IDPs

    Ms Julie Okah-Donli, the Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has warned that any forms of abuse on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the country would no longer be tolerated.

    OKah-Donli, gave the warning during her visit to the new Kushingoro IDPs’ camp in Abuja to commemorate Children’s day and Democracy Day.

    She said that her agency would henceforth not tolerate any abuse on vulnerable Nigerians and less privileged persons in the society.

    According to her, such crime would not be swept under carpet irrespective of the status of the offender and the circumstances.

    “NAPTIP will no more tolerate any abuse of children and women in any of the IDPs’ camps in any part of the country under any situation.

    “We have reactivated our working relationship and collaboration with divers partners and other sister security agencies as well as several caregivers working at the various IDPs camps with a view to unmask any act of abuse within those locations” she said.

    The NAPTIP boss stated that the present security challenges that have displaced thousands of persons across the Northern parts of the country did not mean that those affected had lost their rights.

    She said, “I want all Nigerians to know that these sets of people who are victims of insurgency and other security challenges have their rights intact as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “So, they should be respected and accorded the desired rights and privileges like other citizens of the country.

    “NAPTIP will not tolerate any act that constitutes any form of abuse in any of the camps, their present predicament is nothing but just a bend in their journey of life, it is not the end of their life.

    “Let us join hands to restore hope to them, let us join hands to put them back on the track so that they can contribute their own quota to the development of the nation.

    “As a focal agency that is committed to the protection of Nigerians, NAPTIP has strengthened its partnership and working relationship with other sister Security Agencies working inside the various camps as well as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

    “The partnership will help to nipping any act of abuse in any of the camps in the bud”, she said.

    She urged IDPs to avail themselves of the opportunity of staying at the camp to develop themselves in skill acquisition in order to be self-reliance.

    Speaking on behalf of the IDPs, Mr Philemon Emmanuel from Borno State thanked the NAPTIP director-general for visiting them as well as donating large quantity of essential consumable to them.

    He called on other government agencies and corporate bodies to emulate the gesture. (NAN)

  • NAPTIP reunites 13 human trafficking victims with families

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Thursday said it had reunited 13 young girls rescued from human traffickers with their families.

    The girls suspected to be victims of human trafficking were rescued after NAPTIP sealed Amazonia Guest House at Dagiri in Gwagwalada, Abuja on May 4.

    In the process, one Hafeez Abdulsalam, who was on NAPTIP wanted list, and the hotel manager were arrested.

    Abdulsalam, a suspected human trafficker in the South-West, is alleged to have specialised in trafficking young girls to Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

    He was said to be responsible for bringing the 13 girls from various states of the federation to the hotel.

    Read Also:  Civil Defence rescues minors ‘trafficked for prostitution’

    Mrs Stella Nezan, Head of Press and Public Relations of NAPTIP, told the our reporter in Abuja that the young girls were reunited with their families, after being counseled by the agency.

    According to her, the suspected traffickers, who are still being detained in the Agency’s custody, will be charged to court at the end investigation on the matter.

    The spokesperson stressed that the agency was more determined to tackle any form of human trafficking in the country.

  • 2,114 Nigerians evacuated from Libya – NAPTIP

    2,114 Nigerians evacuated from Libya – NAPTIP

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said on Saturday 2,114 Nigerians living in Libya had been brought back to the country from January till date.

    The Head, Press and Public Relations of NAPTIP, Mr. Josiah Emerole, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

    Emerole quoted the Director-General of the agency, Ms Julie Okah-Donli, as saying this at a lecture delivered at the University of Benin as part of activities marking the 60th birthday of businessman, Capt. Idahosa Okunbo.

    Okah-Donli delivered a lecture on Youth Migration, Deportation and Rehabilitation: The Way Forward, under the theme: ‘Youth Migration, Consequences and Current Realities.”

    She appealed to public spirited individuals and corporate bodies to assist government agencies to make the reintegration of the returnees easier.

    The director-general called for a holistic approach by the countries of origin and their destination counterparts in tackling the migration problems across the world.

    She advised Nigerian youths not to be desperate to leave the country at all cost.

    The NAPTIP chief said the criminal trafficking gangs were lurking all over the place to deceive the youths and eventually make them personal economic tools abroad.

    She said: “There is need for government at all levels to come up with transformation programmes and a National Orientation and Reorientation programme that will change people’s attitude to migration.

    “Without this, an attitude crisis will be another major driving force for illegal migration and something fundamental must be done to control and contain the illegal movement of people out of the countries.

    “A crucial step forward is to help re-educate the average Nigerian youth to make them realise that they can actualise their potentials and dreams at home.

    “They should know that they are not poorer than their contemporaries abroad or in the country they want to migrate.’’

    NAN