NAPTIP Deserves Better Support To Function – Speaker Abbas

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) as one of the critical government Agencies in Nigeria deserves the full support of all stakeholders, including State and Non–State Actors.
To enhance the activities of the agency, the House of Representatives shall consider the request for the amendment of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administrative Act, 2025, to ensure stringent prosecution of offenders, as well as ensure favourable fiscal allocation to NAPTIP in ongoing appropriation through the House Committee on Human Rights.
So says the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Tajudeen Abass, while receiving the management of the Agency led by the Director General, Binta Adamu Bello who paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.
The speaker Tajudeen Abass, who commended the zeal and passion of the Director General as exemplified in the numerous achievements recorded by the Agency, congratulated the Director General for a well-deserved appointment having been on the seat for only three months.
You could see the passion, articulation, and mastery of the knowledge of the Agency’s activities so well, he stated.
“I believe this appointment will be a game changer for the Agency and Nigeria as a Country. The Agency will be better off in the long run.
“I also want to congratulate you again for the wonderful performance of your Agency based on the conviction of traffickers secured which is 692 and another 27 convictions on violence against persons.
“I am also delighted to hear that your Agency has been able to improve synergy and build partnerships with other critical partners within Nigeria in your efforts to combat human trafficking”, the Speaker said.
The Speaker urged the Agency to further deepen collaboration with a wider sector of the Civil Society organizations, traditional rulers, and religious leaders who according to him, are knowledgeable about the activities of any potential human traffickers at the grassroots levels.
On the request for the amendment of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement Administration Act, 2015, the Speaker advised the Agency to make the amendment more comprehensive and ensure that the includes measures to address the root causes of trafficking and prevent vulnerable individuals from being exploited.
In her speech, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello told the Speaker that human trafficking has become a national crisis in Nigeria due to its prevalence, scope, and effects on the victims, their relations, and the nation in general.
The visit by the Director General of NAPTIP to the Speaker, the House of Representatives was a landmark event as it signified a renewed commitment by the Federal Government of Nigeria in boosting the activities of the Agency through legislative support.
During the visit, she said, “Trafficking in persons in Nigeria is not just a menace but a crisis in Nigeria because of its complex and clandestine nature and fueled by the urge to escape poverty; and get a better life elsewhere which criminal elements capitalize on to strike.
She said on a daily basis, hundreds and thousands of people including Nigerians are deceived to travel across the world with promises of a better life outside of their comfort zones.
“Over the years, the Agency has continued to meet its mandate and obligations as enshrined in its enabling legislation. For instance, as of the end of October 2024, the Agency had secured 692 convictions for trafficking in persons (426 males and 266 females); 27 convictions on Violence Against persons especially rape in the FCT with maximum sentences of life in jail; rescued and rehabilitated 23,990 victims (17,910 females and 6080 males).
In a statement signed by the press officer of the agency, mr. Vincent Adeboye, “Out of this number, 11,530 are children while 12,460 are adults. This number also includes Non-Nigerians (China, Libya, Lebanon, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Central African Republic, Ghana, Benin Republic, Guinea Conakry, Togo, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Chad, Cote D Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, Niger Republic, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gabon amongst others.
“23 of the rescued victims (Nigerians) who choose to go back to school have graduated from various Universities through the Agency’s sponsorship while many others are at various levels in their education pursuit. Six of those who have graduated have been employed in the services of the Agency.
“In the area of prevention, the statement says the agency carry out awareness campaigns and sensitization deliberately designed to educate people about human trafficking, indicators, and its drivers, especially at the sub-national levels. We do this through- community-centered awareness creation, survivor’s advocacy campaigns, school campaigns, digital media campaigns, and traditional media campaigns.
“To amplify this, we have done the following: Establishment of Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Violence Against Persons Clubs ( Brigades in Primary Schools and Vanguards in Secondary Schools); Infused Trafficking in Persons issues into the Curricula of Basic and Senior Secondary Schools in Nigeria; Infused Trafficking in Persons issues into the Minimum Standards of Colleges of Education with the collaboration of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) which has introduced GSE 214 for trafficking in persons studies; Continuous Capacity building and sensitization for various stakeholders and partners including the media, law enforcement agencies, Judges and Prosecutors, amongst others
“Even though we are not yet where we want to be, the Agency has remained an essential entity in Nigeria’s fight against human trafficking and a global model that has made it one of Nigeria’s biggest exports to various countries in Africa and beyond in the following ways: Several countries in Africa and abroad visit Nigeria regularly on a study tour to learn how Nigeria through NAPTIP is getting the job done.
“ The Gambia, Niger, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire have established similar agencies with NAPTIP’s support in setting them up. Furthermore, several of NAPTIP’s policy documents have been adopted by ECOWAS for use by its member states, along with other regional bodies.
” NAPTIP has played crucial roles in facilitating international connections which are essential to Nigeria’s global commitments and obligations. NAPTIP has fostered increased international cooperation and earned respect, particularly through various agreements, MOUs, and mutual legal assistance with other countries”, the Director General said.