NAPTIP nabs ‘115 human traffickers’, rescues 75 victims

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says no fewer than 115 suspected human traffickers have been apprehended and 75 victims rescued in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers states.

NAN reports that Emmanuel Awhen, NAPTIP zonal commander, spoke in an interview in Uyo on Tuesday.

Awhen said “many of the rescued victims have been counselled, empowered, and reunited with their families”.

He added that NAPTIP charged “15 cases to court, secured three convictions, and has 12 cases still pending”.

“Between July 2023 and now, we’ve apprehended 115 human traffickers within the zone and rescued about 75 victims,” he said.

“Out of the 75 victims rescued, we have empowered 25 of them with skills in tailoring, hairdressing, barbing, and shoemaking.

“Most of the victims rescued are kept in our shelter and we’ve counselled, empowered, and reunited them with their families.

“During this period, NAPTIP charged 15 cases to court, secured three convictions, and has 12 cases still pending.”

Awhen appealed to judges to prioritise human trafficking cases to deter other traffickers.

He noted that coastal communities in the three states are endemic areas for human trafficking and that many victims have been rescued from these areas.

The commander appealed for support in sensitisation campaigns in rural communities and the feeding of victims.

He advised parents and guardians not to be deceived by family members promising to train or secure employment for their children and wards, as they often end up being used for child labour or prostitution.

Awhen warned traffickers to desist from the act, adding that “the full weight of the law would be applied on anyone found culpable”.

“We appeal to members of the public that this fight on human trafficking should not be left in the hands of NAPTIP and the federal government alone,” he said. 

“The agency needs the support and cooperation of all stakeholders so that together we can fight this crime.

“We have financial constraints to carry out robust sensitization and campaigns against human trafficking, especially to rural communities, and feeding of victims is very expensive now.”