The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has rescued 21,181 victims of human trafficking in 20 years.
This was said by Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, the Director General of NAPTIP, during her appearance before the Senate Committee on Social Duties to defend the 2024 budget.
She stated that although the procedure took a long time and a lot of money, the agency would attempt to help victims for as long as they needed it.
She clarified that NAPTIP offers victims medical, legal, reintegration, and rehabilitation help.
According to the DG:
“NAPTIP rescued and received 2, 748 victims, which was 1,274 more victims that were rescued in 2022.”
“From January to November 2023, we have already rescued and received 2,200 victims.
“Our shelter in Lagos has so far received the highest number of victims, followed by Katsina because of the borders, Kano and FCT shelters.”
Waziri-Azi said that Benue State had the most victims saved in 2021 and 2022, followed by the states of Ondo, Edo, Delta Kano, and Imo.
“As part of our prosecuting mandate, last year, we secured 80 convictions, which was the highest in any single year since inception.
“Since this year began, we have already secured 63 convictions and counting, including the conviction of a high-level trafficker in Benin that was responsible for trafficking 12 girls to Belgium for human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
“So in 20 years, NAPTIP has secured 639 convictions and counting, and on March 8, for the first time in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Interpol, the Italian government, a high-profile trafficker, Charity Omoye, was extradited to Italy to serve her 13 years sentence.
“In 2022, the agency received 1,462 human trafficking complaints which was plus 31 .9 per cent from the number received in 2021.
“This has caused a serious strain on our human and financial resources and the challenges confronting the organization are enormous,” she said.
cc: Punch Ng
