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  • 9 pregnant women rescued at baby factory in Abuja

    9 pregnant women rescued at baby factory in Abuja

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says its operatives have rescued nine pregnant women from a baby factory in Abuja.

    This is contained in a statement by Mr Vincent Adekoye, Press Officer, NAPTIP, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

    Adekoye revealed that the baby factory is situated at one of the sprawling estates in Ushafa area in the Federal Capital Territory.

    He also disclosed that the raid on the facility followed a tip-off from a concerned citizen.

    He said the victims were locked up in an apartment inside the estate by a yet-to-be-identified suspected trafficking agent, after they were recruited through an online platform.

    Adekoye also said that the Director-General of the agency, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, has lauded the Judiciary, for the landmark judgment of convicting and sentencing one Bishop Kenneth Duke.

    Duke was said to have raped a 12 year- old girl, daughter of one of his Church members, in Abuja.

    The DG said the judgment would serve as a deterrent to others, while warning that the Agency would not spare anyone who violates any of its laws.

    “Like, I warned a few weeks ago, NAPTIP will not spare anyone found to have violated any of the Laws irrespective of status, either on human trafficking or violence against persons.

    ”Rape is a serious crime with everlasting psychological effect and lasting trauma on the victim. We must all rise to say no to this heinous crime and ensure the protection of our children.

    ”How, can you imagine a 52 years old man violating a 12-year-old girl? It is painful and it is criminal. I am relieved that the Judiciary has served the convict the commensurable dose of punishment,” she said.

  • NIS hands over wanted suspect to NAPTIP

    NIS hands over wanted suspect to NAPTIP

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has confirmed receiving a high profile human trafficking suspect from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

    The confirmation is contained in a statement on Friday in Abuja by a Press Officer in NAPTIP, Mr Vincent Adekoye.

    Adekoye said the suspect, Uadiale-Christiana Jacob, popularly known as Christy Gold, had been on the wanted list of NAPTIP since 2020.

    He said the woman had been operating across the Middle Eastern countries, with an operational base in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE).

    According to him, she was arrested on arrival from Dubai for the new year celebration, while her gang members like Michael Nduka, Osas Wiseman, Vivian, and one Prophet John in Lagos were still on the run.

    He explained that the suspect accused of recruiting underage Nigerian girls in Dubai for sexual exploitation, had earlier been arrested in 2020 in Benin and charged before a Federal High Court in Asaba but jumped bail and absconded to Dubai.

    He quoted NAPTIP Director-General, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, commending NIS for apprehending the suspect and demonstrating the essence of inter-agency collaboration.

    “NAPTIP also appreciates the efforts of other members of the Intelligence Community who are working behind the scenes to apprehend these fellows.

    “This is a clear message to other members of this international criminal gang who are still on the run: They can only hide for a while; they can never hide forever.

    “We have already activated all necessary security and intelligence apparatus, and our partners around the World are on the lookout for these elements. Very soon, the net will catch them.

    “I am happy it was a sad end for human traffickers in the country in 2024 and we promise them a hell in 2025. We are more determined and will be more decisive this year to fish them out,” the NAPTIP boss said.

  • NAPTIP rescues 6-year old girl, arrests 2 suspects in Akwa Ibom

    NAPTIP rescues 6-year old girl, arrests 2 suspects in Akwa Ibom

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has rescued a six-year old girl who was stolen from her parents in 2018.

    Mr Emmanuel Awhen, the Zonal Commander, NAPTIP Uyo, said that the agency achieved the feat in partnership with the Foundation for Justice Development and Peace

    He said in an interview in Uyo on Thursday, that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the matter.

    “The two suspects are currently undergoing interrogations. They will be charged to court when investigation is concluded,” he said.

    Awhen said that the agency got an intelligence report concerning the stolen girl, and traced her to a family in Uyo.

    “The girl was kept in our shelter for proper identification. She has been handed over to her biological parents,” he said.

    The commander further said that the agency was currently investigating a case of illegal buying and selling of a two-month old baby in the state.

    He expressed worries that trafficking in children was on the increase in the state, and cautioned perpetrators to desist or face the wrath of the law.

    Awhen who described human trafficking as a crime against humanity, said that NAPTIP was committed to tackling the menace of child stealing.

    “We shall continue to sensitise the people to the dangers associated with human trafficking, it is senseless and barbaric, we must discourage it,” he said.

  • NAPTIP urges stiffer penalties for rape

    NAPTIP urges stiffer penalties for rape

    Hajiya Binta Bello, Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has called for stricter penalties for rape to serve as a deterrent.

    Bello made this demand during the close-out event of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law implementation in Cross River on Monday, organised by Stand to End Rape.

    Represented by Mr Jacob Oba, Head of Operations, NAPTIP, Cross River Command, Bello emphasised that rape was a heinous crime against humanity.

    She advocated for collective efforts to eradicate it through timely reporting, assisting survivors, providing legal services, and awareness campaigns to reduce stigmatisation.

    Bello appealed for a united front against rape, reaffirming NAPTIP’s commitment to combating VAPP Act violators, including human traffickers.

    On her part, Dr Mercy Kwabe, Co-director of Stand to End Rape Initiative, acknowledged Nigeria’s progress in promoting equal rights through the VAPP Act.

    However, she highlighted the need for better public understanding of the law, particularly in local languages.

    Kwabe stressed the importance of amending the VAPP Act to incorporate harsher penalties for perpetrators, rather than repealing it.

    Similarly, Ms Ann Awa, Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Cross River Chapter, echoed the need for full implementation of the VAPP Act across states.

    She suggested fine-tuning contentious sections rather than abolishing the law.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in partnership with agencies like the National Orientation Agencies (NOA), Stand to End Rape Initiative conducted VAPP Act sensitisation in Ikot Awatim community, encouraging residents to report suspected cases.

  • NAPTIP restates commitment to fighting human trafficking

    NAPTIP restates commitment to fighting human trafficking

    The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, has pledged the agency’s commitment to fight human trafficking.

     

    Waziri-Azi gave the assurance during an anti-corruption radio program, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, in Abuja.

     

    The commitment by NAPTIP follows an investigative report by Human Angle Media exposing how many Nigerians trafficked to Egypt are inhumanely treated and exploited by their sponsors.

     

    Represented by the agency’s Director of Public Enlightenment, Mrs. Kehinde Akomolafe, decried the rising number of Nigerians who are victims of trafficking, pledging that “NAPTIP is fighting on all sides to curb human trafficking.”

     

    Akomolafe disclosed that the agency is aware of the report of Nigerians trafficked to Egypt and has already commenced interventions to rescue them while warning citizens to be wary of “offers that are too good to be true.”

     

    She identified weak legislation, lengthy judicial processes, and corrupt law enforcement officials as factors aiding and abetting trafficking in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world.

     

    “Corruption is endemic and cuts across other countries of the world, and that’s why trafficking is easily perpetrated in Nigeria and around the globe. You find law enforcement officials aiding and abetting traffickers. Some of them know these traffickers from their operations either at the entry or exit point. They give them something or become too familiar with them.

     

    “Apart from the bribery aspect, we also have officials turning a blind eye to trafficking activities, and that’s why for us at the agency (NAPTIP), we are not resting.”

     

    According to her, the agency, from inception, secured 672 convictions, 67 in 2023, and 35 persons so far this year (2024). She added that “NAPTIP is winning the war against trafficking but still wants stiffer punishment for traffickers and the support of the judiciary in hastening cases.

     

    “weak legislation is aiding trafficking. That’s why the agency continues pushing for amendments. Currently, NAPTIP is pushing for stiffer punishment against traffickers that will lead to confiscation of their monies and property.

     

    “NAPTIP Director-General (Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi) is fighting on all sides against human trafficking.

     

    “Where law enforcement officials are found complicit, NAPTIP Director-General does not take it lightly; she doesn’t compromise her anti-corruption stance even when a staff is involved,” Akomolafe stated.

     

    According to the Editor of Southern Operations, Human Angle Media, Kabir Adejumo, many Nigerians trafficked to Egypt engage in forced labour. They are also living in fear as authorities go after illegal immigrants.

     

    Adejumo said victims interviewed during the investigation are willing and interested in returning home, but their sponsors refuse to release their travel passports and threaten to implicate them.

     

    He also revealed that the NAPTIP and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) are aware of the plight of Nigerians trafficked in Egypt and have currently rescued one person.

     

    On her part, the Programme Manager of the Human Angle Foundation, Angela Umoro-David, expressed satisfaction at NAPTIP’s response to trafficking cases while urging the agency to stay on course with their mandate.

     

    Umoro-David called on Nigerians to use a Freedom of Information platform (foi.humananglemedia.com) to help citizens navigate requests for public records from different government parastatals and agencies.

     

    She stressed that the platform “is a website where people can submit their FOI requests to us (Human Angle), and we’ll submit it on their behalf to the particular agency. So we act as middlemen, connecting these government parastatals to the citizens”.

     

    Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program PRIMORG uses to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.

    The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.

  • NAPTIP secures conviction of couple for human trafficking

    NAPTIP secures conviction of couple for human trafficking

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has secured the conviction of a couple in Benin for human trafficking.

    Mr Ganiu Aganran, the Coordinator of the Benin Zonal Command of NAPTIP, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking with NAN in Benin.

    He said that the couple, Adesuwa Otabor and Otabor Idahosa, was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy to commit human trafficking.

    According to him, the High Court, Criminal Division 2, Benin City. found the couple guilty of exporting a victim to Dubai for prostitution.

    He noted that the offence contravened Section 27 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

    Aganran described the feat as part of NAPTIP’s director-general’s agenda of arresting, prosecuting and convicting high-profile human traffickers.

  • Practice female circumcision, risk 4 years imprisonment – NAPTIP

    Practice female circumcision, risk 4 years imprisonment – NAPTIP

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has said that female circumcision was a crime, which attracted four years jail term.

    The agency made this known in a post it shared on its official X handle (Formerly Twitter) @naptipnigeria on Sunday.

    A member of the public on his X handle @realmuhammadd, asked if it was compulsory for a newly born baby girl to be circumcised.

    Another X user with the handle @AAAlhlaji21, responded by saying, that was important to perform circumcision on baby girl, to prevent them from being promiscuous when they grow up.

    NAPTIP, however, debunked the myth in its reaction  to the posts, warning against the practice.

    “Dear Muhammad- Just so you know Female Circumcision (FC) is a crime under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, (VAPP) 2015 and under various states’ VAPP Laws.

    “Anyone who performs FC is liable to up to four years imprisonment, an attempt attracts two years imprisonment,” it stated.

    According to the agency, anyone who incites, aids, or counsels another person to commit the offence of FC, is liable to up to two years imprisonment.

    “We urge you to use this as a teaching moment to also educate others.

    “Remember “Female Circumcision, Genital Mutilation” IS A CRIME, ” It stated.

  • NAPTIP warns Nigerians against fake job vacancies

    NAPTIP warns Nigerians against fake job vacancies

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has warned Nigerians against trending fake job advertisement in oil and gas sectors in West African countries.

    The warning is in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday by Mr Vincent Adekoye, a communication officer in the agency.

    Adekoye stated that NAPTIP’s Director-General, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, gave the warning while discussing emerging trends on human trafficking in the year 2024.

    He quoted her as saying “we have uncovered a new ploy by suspected human traffickers exploiting coordinated global brand trademarks, offering unrealistic oil and gas job vacancies to unsuspected Nigerians in neighbouring West Africa countries.

    “NAPTIP has redoubled its efforts through enhanced partnership, collaboration, diligent prosecution, and extensive awareness against such gimmicks.”

    She said the effort was aimed at bolstering operations, which resulted to significant increase in convictions of human traffickers.

    She explained that the agency’s enlightenment strategies were to equip Nigerians with timely and accurate information to reduce vulnerability.

    She added that “we have received reports indicating that traffickers have adopted new tactics to lure unsuspecting victims.

    “Traffickers now shuttle their suspects to some nations under the guise of lucrative employment opportunities in gold mining and oil companies and entice them with promises of monthly incomes as high as 900 dollars, which, as always, are blatant lies.

    “Victims are often instructed to bring up to N850,000 for documentation and other logistic expenses.”

    She added that “upon arrival at their destination, traffickers confiscate the money, along with victims’ phones and other personal belongings.

    “The targeted demographic are male and female victims, aged between 15 and 35 years old.

    “They are typically trafficked through the waterways of Ode Jetty in Lagos en-route Benin Republic and other parts of the West African region.

    “Some victims are also trafficked via land routes,”

    Waziri-Azi, therefore, appealed to Nigerians to exercise caution, ask questions, and seek a second opinion before accepting any tempting offers.

    According to her, Nigerians should not allow desperation to cloud their judgment.

    She said NAPTIP remains committed to combating human trafficking and protecting the rights and dignity of all Nigerians.

    The NAPTIP boss called on Nigerians to report suspected cases of human trafficking to the agency through 07030000203 or 627 (Only on the MTN Network).

  • NIS rescues 3 victims of human trafficking in Jigawa

    NIS rescues 3 victims of human trafficking in Jigawa

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), says it has rescued three victims of human trafficking in Jigawa.

    The NIS Comptroller in the state, Mr Samson Agada, said this at a news conference in Dutse on Wednesday.

    He said personnel of the Service intercepted the victims on Tuesday at about 11:00 AM, at Tsamiyar Ilu check point in Kazaure Local Government Area of the state.

    Agada said the victims, who are indigenes of Kogi, include Ahmed Ibrahim, 25; Ibrahim Rafatu, 17, and Nafisat Jibril, 32, adding that they were apprehended alongside a suspected trafficker, Mustapha Zulqarlaini.

    “Upon their interception and subsequent profiling and interrogation, the victims confessed that they were on their way to Daura area of Katsina Dtate.

    “They will then cross the Nigerian border to Niger Republic, for their onward destination to Libya.

    “Upon further interrogation, they confessed that have a sister who is residing in Libya they intended to join her.

    “The suspected trafficker, Zulqarlaini, claimed to be an uncle of the victims and confirmed that he facilitated their journey from Kano to Daura.” he said.

    The comptroller added that when contacted by the service, the victims’ parents gave their consent to the journey on the basis of abject poverty.

    “They are victims of human trafficking, and as such we are handing them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)”.

    Agada urged parents and guardians to monitor their wards to protect them againts falling prey to traffickers.

    He reitrated the Service commitment to check irregular migration and human trafficking.

  • NAPTIP urges traditional, religious leaders to report SGBV cases

    NAPTIP urges traditional, religious leaders to report SGBV cases

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has urged traditional, community and religious leaders on prompt reportage of cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in their communities.

    NAPTIP Director-General, Prof Fatima Waziri-Azi, made the call in Abuja at a workshop organised with the collaboration of Ford Foundation to discuss SGBV strategies.

    The workshop was organised to further strengthen collaboration with traditional rulers, community and religious leaders in the FCT and guard against violence against persons in their communities.

    The workshop was part of the activities to commemorate the 2023 days of activism against SGBV.

    Waziri-Azi, however, said that with the domestication of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in almost all the states in the country, progress had been recorded in favour of violence against persons in the country.

    The NAPTIP boss said that almost all the states in the country had adopted the VAPP Act as a law, adding that 34 states actually domesticated it while some states like Kano and Katsina also incorporated various sections of the Act into their Penal Code laws.
    “So this advocacy workshop is an avenue for us to continue to strengthen collaboration among ourselves, and for us to understand the different rules and responsibility level on us.
    It’s also to let us know issues around SGBV not just in FCT but Nigeria at large.

    “We all need to know the role to play at the community level, religion leaders, law enforcement and even the judiciary as a society and as a country.
    “For us in NAPTIP last year alone, we received a lot of cases of SGBV in the FCT; one thing I know for sure is that the culture of silence has progressively reduced in the FCT and this is necessitated by the increase in reportage which is done in trust.

    “In the past, people din’t complain but now increase in reportage shows that attitude that needs not to be tolerated must not be tolerated.

    “We have cases where neighbours blow whistle on their neighbours; children send us Petitions, reporting their parents; even spouses report each other and that is the change we have seen lately and that is the change we keep encouraging.

    “We can only encourage this change when people come to report at NAPTIP; most time people’s courage are killed, denied them of justice but when they report and something is done, it further embolden them,” the D-G said.

    She also frowned at a situation where she received complaints of eight rape cases in a day, particularly on Nov. 23, while calling on the community leaders to do more in reporting cases of violence against persons in their communities.

    According to her, government cannot do everything, but with the cooperation of the community leaders, a lot can be achieved in curbing SGBV and other violence against persons.

    The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf , commended NAPTIP for achieving breakthrough since the creation of the VAPP Act in 2015.

    Represented by Justice Angela Otaluka, the CJ said appointing six Justices of the FCT to handle SGBV cases was because of the interest he had on the issue, as well as to reduce such crime in Nigerian society.

    He said that Judges handling such cases gave reports of progress made in that direction, while pledging to continue to support NAPTIP with the dispensation of justice to whoever that deserved it.