NAPTIP Kano Rescues 285 Victims, Secures 15 Convictions in 2024
The Kano Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) successfully rescued 285 victims of human trafficking and secured 15 convictions in 2024, the agency’s Zonal Commander, Abdullahi Babale, disclosed on Thursday.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Babale shared that the rescued victims included 78 males, 97 females, and 110 children, with ages ranging from seven to 42 years. Of the 285 victims, 53 were directly trafficked for forced labor, while 232 survivors endured sexual abuse, gender-based violence, and other forms of exploitation.
Babale emphasized the agency’s commitment to rehabilitating and empowering the victims. “The victims were counselled and rehabilitated before being reunited with their families, and we empowered 52 of them with empowerment kits to help them reintegrate into society,” he stated.
Throughout 2024, NAPTIP apprehended 22 traffickers, including 8 males and 14 females. The command received 211 cases of internal and external human trafficking, which involved a range of crimes from child abuse and labor exploitation to sexual abuse, all of which fall under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.
On the legal front, Babale noted that the command achieved significant success, securing 15 convictions, including one foreign national. The convicted individuals included 13 males and 2 females, each sentenced for various trafficking-related offenses.
In addition to its enforcement efforts, the Kano Zonal Command carried out 88 sensitization programs in schools, communities, markets, and faith-based organizations. These programs aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of human trafficking and other forms of abuse. The agency also utilized radio, television, workshops, and advocacy visits to disseminate information.
Babale further reported that the command had profiled 720 migrant returnees from the Niger Republic, who had left in search of better opportunities but had fallen victim to exploitation. He urged Nigerians to avoid dangerous overseas journeys and warned against falling prey to traffickers.
“We urge parents to protect their children from being exploited and lured into slavery. The public should report suspicious cases of traffickers in their communities to help curb this menace,” Babale concluded.
