NAPTIP Prosecutes 52 Human Trafficking Cases In North East

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons says it is prosecuting 52 cases of human trafficking and related offences in Borno, Adamawa, Gombe, and the Yobe States.

The Zonal Commander of the agency, Mansur Ahmed, stated this in a statement in Maiduguri on Monday.

The statement was part of activities to mark the 2022 World Day Against Human Trafficking, slated for July 30.

The theme for this year is: “Use and Abuse of Technology, which addresses the role that technology has played and is still playing in promoting and impeding trafficking in persons.”

Ahmed said the cases comprised 44 in Borno State, two in Gombe State, and three each in Adamawa and Yobe States.

He said that since the establishment of the zonal office in Maiduguri in 2009, the agency rescued, counselled, rehabilitated, and re-united 557 victims.

He said: “The zone also inaugurated TIPs sexual and gender-based vanguard clubs in Federal Unity Secondary schools across the North-East.

“The zone in collaboration with International Organisation for Migration (IOM) empowered victims of Trafficking in Persons (TIPs) with livelihood and skill acquisition support materials.”

According to Ahmed, the agency is effectively carrying out its role and response to human trafficking through the use of new trends, abusing technology, and adopting of Prevention, Prosecution, Protection, Partnership, and Policy strategy to achieve its mandate.

He lauded the Borno State Government, law enforcement agencies, Civil Society Organisations, Nigeria Bar Association, and development organizations for their support of the agency.