The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Kano has rescued 285 victims of human trafficking and secured 15 convictions in 2024.
This was announced by the Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Abdullahi Babale, during an interview with our correspondent in Kano today, reports NAN.
Among the 285 rescued victims, there were 78 males, 97 females, and 110 children, aged between 7 and 42 years. Babale explained that 53 of the victims were specifically trafficked for exploitation, while 232 were survivors of sexual abuse, gender-based violence, and other forms of exploitation.
NAPTIP’s efforts to rehabilitate and empower survivors were also highlighted. Babale shared that the victims were provided with counseling, rehabilitated, and then reunited with their families. Additionally, 52 of the survivors were equipped with empowerment kits to help them rebuild their lives.
The command made significant progress in apprehending traffickers.
A total of 22 traffickers were arrested, including 8 males and 14 females. NAPTIP also received 211 cases related to both internal and external human trafficking, including cases of child abuse, labor trafficking, sexual abuse, and violations under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.
Babale also revealed that NAPTIP secured 15 convictions in 2024, which included one foreign national. The convicted traffickers included 13 males and 2 females.
In addition to its enforcement actions, NAPTIP organized 88 sensitization programs throughout the year, targeting schools, communities, markets, and faith-based organisations. These programs raised awareness about the dangers of human trafficking and other forms of abuse, using radio, television, workshops, and advocacy visits to educate the public.
Babale also shared that NAPTIP had profiled 720 migrant returnees from Niger Republic, who had sought better opportunities abroad but found themselves exploited. He urged Nigerians to avoid dangerous overseas journeys, warning parents to protect their children from being lured into slavery or exploitation.
He called on the public to report any suspicious trafficking activities in their communities and to work together in the fight against human trafficking.
