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NAPTIP

Owner of Asaba controversial orphanage surrenders to NAPTIP

by Content Admin October 10, 2025

written by Content Admin

ABUJA- The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), says Mr Christopher Nwoye, owner of Happy Home Orphanage, a controversial facility in Asaba, Delta, has surrendered to the agency.

This is contained in a statement by NAPTIP Press Officer, Mr Vincent Adekoye, on Thursday in Abuja.

NAPTIP had in a statement on Sept. 17 and 26, said that Nwoye was evading arrest.

Adekoye said that four other women from the state who were laying claim to some of the children rescued from the orphanage were currently being quizzed by the agency.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspect (Nwoye) was said to have accommodate in his orphanage, children allegedly stolen from Kano, Gombe and other state in the northern region.

The NAPTIP press officer said that more than 70 children were discovered in the orphanage during a raid by operatives of the agency in June.

He said that some of the children alleged to have been bought by the orphanage were rescued by the agency during the raid.

He revealed that among the 70 children found in the orphanage were 15 newborn babies, with eight of them rescued, and traced to be part of those allegedly stolen from Kano and Gombe

Speaking on the development, the Director-General of the agency, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, said that, since the suspect had surrendered himself to the agency, investigation would commence in earnest.

“Mr Christopher Nwoye gave himself up today when he arrived at the Headquarters of NAPTIP, Abuja, in the company of his lawyer and women.

“He had before now turned down all entreaties to report to the agency for investigations.

“It is important to restate that the rescue operation by NAPTIP operatives at Happy Home Orphanage was not an abduction as the agency does not engage in such condemnable act.

“The action was a lawful undertaking under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, which empowers NAPTIP to investigate, rescue, and prosecute cases of trafficking, abduction, and related offences.

“It is very important that Mr Nwoye is in our facility now in connection with the alleged stolen children that were traced to his orphanage and rescued by operatives of NAPTIP. His presence is crucial to the ongoing investigation.

“It is also important for stakeholders, including the media to know that NAPTIP remains neutral in this matter,” she said

According to her, the children are rescued and are in a protective shelter with the best care pending the conclusion of the investigation,” she stressed.

The NAPTIP boss clarified that the children were not been forced to embrace another religion, and they would not be forced to do so.

Adamu-Bello said that the women who claimed ownership of the children and refused to respond to the agency’s invitation earlier, were also in the agency facility, and wer been interrogated to ascertain their claims

She added that the matter would be thoroughly investigated to uncover the truth, including the conduct of DNA, before a final decision would be taken on the parenthood of the children involved. (NAN)

October 10, 2025 0 comments

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Stakeholders advocate inclusion of anti-trafficking into education curriculum

by Administrator September 24, 2025

written by Administrator

ASABA – Stakeholders have called for the inclusion of anti-trafficking into colleges of education curriculum in Nigeria to combat the activities of human trafficking in the country.

Reports that those who made the call said that the inclusion of anti-trafficking into the higher institutions curriculum would help expose the ills of human trafficking and protect young undergraduates from falling prey to traffickers.

The stakeholders made the call at a One-Day Step-Down Training of Trainers on Anti-Human Trafficking for no fewer than 70 lecturers of Colleges of Education in Asaba, Delta.

Speaking, Mrs Ijeoma David-Ukoko, Delta State Project Officer, Schools Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP), said it would be a win win for all if anti-trafficking was infused into colleges of education curriculum in the country.

She said that the training which was organised by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in partnership with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), was aimed at achieving the objectives of STEAP project in the state.

She noted that the STEAP project was been facilitated in partnership with the Civil Society Organisation – “Hope Health Organisation (HHO)”, the implementor in the community levels across the state to achieve result.

David- Ukoko, said that the training, funded by the Government of the Netherlands was part of the STEAP project aimed at equipping the lecturers with requisite knowledge about human trafficking and to enable them cascade same to their students.

She noted that similar training had been carried out at Enugu state for lecturers of colleges of education in 2024 which has to be step-down in Delta for effective coverage, adding that the STEAP project, a four-year project would end in the next two years.

According to her, the whole idea is to enable the school community buy into the project and raise discussion and build it into school curriculum for proper education of the students, communities thereby equipping them with the antics of the traffickers.

“This is a step-down training of training the trainer ‘lecturers’, so that they can better design ways and means of integrating anti-trafficking into the school curriculum.”

She said that the relevant groups, authorities and the schools vanguard coordinators have been sensitised, adding that training the teachers would make the process better.

“So, we are here to train and sensitise them so that in turn, they will transmit this information acquired and integrate it into the school curriculum in order to sustain the project beyond STEAP/ICMPD project.

“In Delta, we have two clusters, we have done the Warri Cluster some weeks ago for three colleges of education, known as Cluster A.

“This is Cluster B, for colleges of education in Asaba and environs, so, we have over 70 participants here today, these are lecturers drawn from three colleges of education and from different departments including their provosts are here for the training.

“This training engaged the Federal, State and private colleges of education,” David- Ukoko said.

She said that the success of the project would be a win win for both the national and international communities, adding that the interest of the funding country was to ensure sanity for humanity and to end inhuman treatment and trafficking in persons.

On his part, Mr Sam Offiah, the Zonal Commander, NAPTIP Benin Zonal Command, lauded the project for empowering the lecturers with requisite knowledge to fight against human trafficking in the schools community.

He noted that NAPTIP and ICMPD partnership was to advance the STEAP project beyond primary and secondary schools and to help deepen the fight by factoring the project into higher institutions’ curriculum.

“This training will help improve the capacity of the lecturers to enable them cascade the knowledge gained in their schools and communities and to empower the students to become well informed about the activities of human trafficking.

“There is an upscale for those in the secondary schools to leave and gain admission into higher schools, then the lecturers are already informed and waiting to receive them and they will not be taking unawares.

“Also, the infusion of human trafficking in the curriculum of colleges of education will go a long way to help the students because the lecturers will go back and impact this knowledge on their students.

“So, it is a win win approach for us, the teachers, students and the entire community and the country at large.” Offiah said.

Offiah said though there were challenges and to effectively address the issues of human trafficking in Nigeria, the government must have the political will to fight the scourge.

According to Offiah, we need the political will and societal change, this is because justice delayed is justice denied.

“The government should look inward and see how they would restructure the criminal justice regime of our country. This will help us in combating the issues of human trafficking and other related offences”.

Offiah noted that the whistleblower and reward system to check the menace of human trafficking had been there with the slogan “if you see something, say something’ and the import of this is to save our children from the traffickers”.

Also speaking, Mrs Ijeoma Nwanze, Secretary, Delta State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration, said that the training was part of the series of events in actualising the STEAP project in Delta.

“We are glad that we are engaging beyond the secondary schools to the higher institutions; engaging lecturers in colleges of education in Delta state.

“This is the second cluster, the idea is to ensure that human trafficking is heard even at the higher institutions and infused into the curriculum because knowledge is power.

“So, our children who are within this bracket of being trafficked, when they learn about the traffickers, they will be less prone to being victims. So, this workshop is of great imapact to us as a state and to the nation at large,” Nwanze said.

NAN also reports that participants, who spoke during an interview, lauded NAPTIP and ICMPD for the training while assuring that they would explore the knowledge to drive the STEAP project in the state.

The resources persons exposed the participants to the elements, methods and forms of trafficking in persons (TIP), the guidelines for implementation of TIP content in NCE minimum standards and the migration and counter trafficking measures; national and international among other topics. (NAN)

September 24, 2025 0 comments

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NAPTIP rescues 8 stolen kids from Delta orphanage

by Administrator September 17, 2025

written by Administrator

ABUJA – The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has announced the rescue of eight children suspected to have been stolen and kept at a private orphanage in Asaba, Delta State.

This is contained in a statement on Tuesday by NAPTIP’s Press Officer, Mr Vincent Adekoye.

The operation was conducted with support from the Department of State Services (DSS), Anambra State Command.

Also involved were the Nigerian Police Force, Delta State Command, the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, and civil society organisations based in Kano. The orphanage is reportedly run by a senior official.

The operator is said to be a member of the executive committee of the Association of Orphanage Operators in Nigeria. Investigations revealed the children were trafficked from Kano and other northern states.

The children were allegedly stolen by an inter-state child trafficking syndicate and transported to the South–South and South–Eastern regions of Nigeria.

Adekoye recalled similar concerns raised by parents back in 2017.

He explained the syndicate operated in two groups: one builds trust within communities and abducts children, while the other targets unaccompanied minors at parks, motor terminals, or while running errands.

Adekoye noted trafficking escalated in 2022, with more than 25 children reportedly abducted from the region, sparking public outrage and prompting civil society groups to demand urgent action from relevant authorities.

A group called Protection Against The Abduction and Missing of Our Children (PATAMOOC) submitted a petition to NAPTIP on Dec. 15, 2022, urging the rescue of missing Kano children.

NAPTIP then launched a discreet investigation to trace the children’s whereabouts.

Intelligence-driven operations followed in Anambra and Delta States, though the Awka operation failed as the syndicate moved the children overnight.

However, the Asaba operation uncovered more than 70 children at the privately-run orphanage, including 15 newborn babies. Out of these, eight were identified as those allegedly stolen from Kano State.

Reacting to the rescue, NAPTIP Director-General Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello condemned orphanages that served as safe havens for trafficked children, emphasising the alarming number of minors found in a single facility.

“This operation was intelligence-driven and executed with precision, in collaboration with our security partners and civil society actors,” she said, confirming the children were identified and reunited with their families.

“NAPTIP is seriously concerned about the activities of these so-called orphanages and care homes. Seventy children in one facility, and that number keeps growing daily,” Adamu-Bello added with concern.

She further revealed that the orphanage owner had been evading investigation and spreading falsehoods about NAPTIP on social media, instead of cooperating with authorities or presenting himself for questioning.

“We have told him to report to our Kano Zonal Command and cooperate with the investigation.

“The children have been handed over to the appropriate authorities in Kano State,” she stated.

She called on State Ministries of Women Affairs to intensify oversight of orphanages and care homes, many of which were rapidly increasing.

NAPTIP will continue enforcing its oversight regulations accordingly. (NAN)

September 17, 2025 0 comments

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NAPTIP receives 12 trafficking victims, arrests accomplice

by Administrator September 1, 2025

written by Administrator

KANO – The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Kano Zonal Command, has taken custody of 12 rescued victims of human trafficking, all of whom are female and aged between 15 and 50.

The Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mr Abdullahi Babale, confirmed the development on Monday in Kano while receiving the victims from the Kano State Hisbah Board, which carried out the rescue operation in collaboration with the agency.

According to Babale, the victims were intercepted on Aug. 31 at Karota Luxurious Park, Hotoro Western Bye-Pass, while en route to Ghana and onward to Saudi Arabia for suspected labour exploitation.

He disclosed that the victims, who hailed from Kano, Katsina, Borno, Jigawa, and Zamfara states, were being trafficked under the guise of seeking better job opportunities abroad.

One suspect, identified as Mohammed Saleh, 45, was arrested in connection with the case.

Babale said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other key suspects involved in the trafficking network.

“The rescue and arrest are in line with the directive of the NAPTIP Director-General, Hajiya Binta Adamu-Bello, to intensify intelligence gathering and crack down on suspected traffickers operating within Nigeria,” Babale stated.

He commended the Commander-General of the Kano Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, and the Kano State Government for their continued collaboration in the fight against human trafficking and the protection of vulnerable citizens.

Babale assured that the victims would undergo counseling and rehabilitation before being reunited with their families, in line with NAPTIP’s victim-centered approach.

He also called on parents to be more vigilant in safeguarding their children from traffickers who exploited economic hardship and lure victims with false promises of greener pastures abroad.

“We urge members of the public to report any suspicious movement or activities related to human trafficking in their communities,” he added. (NAN)

September 1, 2025 0 comments

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Human trafficking: ECOWAS charges member-states on poverty reduction

by Administrator September 1, 2025

written by Administrator

LAGOS – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on its members to reduce poverty in their individual countries as a strategy to tackle human trafficking.

ECOWAS gave the charge during the opening session of the 17th Annual Review Meeting of the ECOWAS Regional Network of National Focal Institutions against Trafficking in Persons Plus (RNNI-TIP+).

The event held on Monday in Lagos.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the meeting, Mr Dehunge Shiaka, a representative of the Government of Republic of Sierra Leone, identified poverty as one of the factors aiding human trafficking.

Shiaka, who is also the Executive Director, Anti Trafficking in Persons Agency in Sierra Leone, urged West African countries to ensure sustainable efforts at reducing poverty among the populace.

He called on EECOWASmember-states to encourage cooperation to tackle human trafficking in the region.

“Promoting cooperation among member-countries is very key.

“There is the ECOWAS Mutual Assistance Protocol. If we are able to implement that fully, we can really ensure that member-countries are able to work together to detect trafficking in persons in their various countries.

“Member-states should educate their populations about measures they could take to protect themselves, especially those vulnerable groups and persons, from falling into the trap of traffickers.

“These are some of the measures we need to take, including really providing assistance, direct assistance, to protect victims of trafficking,” he said.

He added the ECOWAS member-states should enhance their capacities to tackle poverty at both the micro and macro levels.

Mr Olatunde Olayemi, the Representative of the Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs at ECOWAS, described poverty as a developmental issue.

Olayemi said that every ECOWAS member-state had its national development plan and was working on implementing such a plan toward curbing poverty and human trafficking.

“ECOWAS has had a declaration by heads of states since the year 2001 and has had several plans of action to which member-states have committed themselves to implementing.

“The current plan of action will continue till 2027,” he said.

According to him, ECOWAS has continued to support member-states to work in a coordinated manner toward solving issues of interest.

He said that part from the support was helping its members to translate the regional action plans into national action plans and implement them.

Olayemi said that the annual meeting was to measure the level of implementation of the regional plan at the national level.

Mr Josiah Emerole, the Director, Intelligence/ Research and Programme Development Department of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Nigeria, said that there was the need for concrete actions to reduce poverty in West Africa.

Emerole said that acquiring simple skills such as baking and vulcanizing could help families and liberate them from poverty.

He called for a focus on practical measures to address hunger and poverty in West Africa.

Reports that 12 ECOWAS member-states were represented on the first day of the five-day meeting.

They are Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Togo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote D’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Cabo Verde.

September 1, 2025 0 comments

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FG condemns “child spiritual cleansing” exercise in Port Harcourt, vows prosecution

by Administrator August 16, 2025

written by Administrator

ABUJA – The Federal Government has condemned the inhumane and dehumanised treatment of innocent children in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, carried out under the pretense of “spiritual cleansing” exercise.

Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Welfare made this known in a statement signed by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Jonathan Eze on Saturday in Abuja.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim described the act as “barbaric, criminal, and a gross violation of the Child Rights Act.

She said that the rescued children were receiving care and support under protective custody inline with the Act.

“Whether by strangers, community leaders, or parents, any individual or group found culpable of such heinous acts will be held accountable under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.

“This includes any parent or guardian who aided or condoned the abuse,” she said.

The minister commended the Nigeria Police Force and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for their swift response and deployment to rescue and safeguard the affected children.

She also acknowledged the role of vigilant citizens who recorded and exposed the abuse, noting that “their courage embodies the spirit of our ‘See Something, Say Something, We Will Do Something’ campaign.”

The minister, however, urged the public to channel such reports directly to the Nigerian Police, NAPTIP, or other relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure swift intervention without compromising rescue efforts or the privacy of the victims.

She further reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to address any form of abuse, neglect and exploitation particularly that which targets vulnerable children.

“We will not rest until Nigeria becomes a safe place for every child to grow, dream, and thrive. The soul of our nation depends on how we protect its future – our children,” the minister said. (NAN)

August 16, 2025 0 comments

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NAPTIP, Shippers Council seal partnership against human trafficking

by Administrator August 13, 2025

written by Administrator

ABUJA – The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has sealed a partnership deal with the Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) to combat human trafficking through the waterways and coastal areas.

Mr Vincent Adekoye, NAPTIP Press Officer, said in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, that the move had received wide support from the management of NSC.

Adekoye said the council, during a courtesy visit to its office by NAPTIP, pledged a robust cooperation, effective collaboration, and sustained synergy with NAPTIP.

He said the visit was part of the strategic engagement of NAPTIP Director-Genera, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, with critical agencies of government and partners across the country.

He said that the visit was aimed at enhancing inter-agency collaboration in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.

Adekoye quoted Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, as describing NSC as a critical partner that would assist in no small measure in combatting human trafficking.

According to the D-G, due to the intense operational heat on traffickers on the land borders by operatives of NAPTIP, some of them now use the waterways to traffic their victims.

“As a maritime regulatory body, the NSC oversees critical gateways to the nation’s trade and transportation systems.

“This gateways are unfortunately exploited by traffickers to move victims clandestinely via vessels and other maritime routes.

“The shipping, ports, and logistics sectors can play a pivotal role in early detection, prevention, and reporting of trafficking activities,” Adamu-Bello said.

The statement quoted Dr Akutah Pius Ukeyima, the Executive Secretary/CEO of NSC describing human trafficking as one of the most heinous transnational organised crimes.

According to Ukeyima, such crimes required the collective effort of all stakeholders and partners to combat it.

He said that the evolving nature of the crime, coupled with the various dimensions and scope, made it more dangerous, with attendant consequences on innocent victims.

He acknowledged the achievements of NAPTIP, stressing that the partnership was important to overcome human trafficking

“The maritime sector is not to be left out in this fight to combat human trafficking in Nigeria. This is a veritable means of transporting victims to other countries”, he said.

The high point of the visit was the setting up of an interim inter–agency committee to work out the modality and establish the necessary framework for the new counter trafficking collaboration. (NAN)

August 13, 2025 0 comments

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ECOWAS urges tougher action on human trafficking

by Administrator August 1, 2025

written by Administrator

ABUJA – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for the use of robust criminal justice mechanisms to combat human trafficking in Nigeria and across the West African sub-region.

Dr Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, ECOWAS Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, made the call at the sidelines of the 28th National Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum (NSCF)/Summit on Trafficking in Persons, on Friday in Abuja.

She was represented by Dr Olatunde Olayemi, Programme and Regional Advisor at the Commission.

Tarfa-Ugbe emphasised that the criminal justice system remained a central pillar in addressing human trafficking, stressing the need for a multi-sectoral approach to tackle the menace effectively.

“The criminal justice system is one of the key pillars required in a comprehensive response to trafficking.

“This must be complemented by stronger social protection systems, a capable social service workforce, child protection mechanisms, and effective cross-border collaboration among source, transit, and destination countries,” she said.

She noted that persistent vulnerabilities in the ECOWAS region, including displacement due to conflict and the rise in criminal networks, had increased the risk of trafficking and exploitation.

“West Africans, including Nigerians, face increased exposure to violence and exploitation.

“This constitutes human trafficking and reflects gaps in protection and prevention frameworks across our region,” she added.

Tarfa-Ugbe commended the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for its ongoing efforts but noted that more needed to be done across ECOWAS member states to close existing gaps.

She reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to supporting cross-border cooperation, promoting child rights, ending child labour, and implementing emergency protection initiatives to promote peace and human security.

Also speaking at the event, Ms. Chibalani Katongo, Protection Officer at the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), representing IOM Chief of Mission Dimanche Sharon, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration.

“Ending trafficking requires more than determination, it demands unity, partnership, and sustainable action.

“Together, we can create a future where individuals live free from exploitation and survivors can rebuild their lives with dignity,” Sharon stated.

Sharon lauded Nigeria’s role in leading anti-trafficking efforts and acknowledged the ongoing collaboration with state agencies, civil society, and international partners, particularly the European Union (EU).

In a related development, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), urged NAPTIP to pursue prosecution in a recent case involving two Nigerian citizens trafficked to the Central African Republic under the guise of job offers.

“The victims have been rescued, but we must go after those who lured them abroad with false promises,” she said, while reiterating the federal government’s commitment to fighting trafficking and child abduction.

Dabiri-Erewa emphasised the need to remain vigilant in protecting Nigerian citizens, particularly children, from exploitation both within and outside the country. (NAN)

August 1, 2025 0 comments

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Enugu Govt. urges global collaboration against human trafficking

by Administrator August 1, 2025

written by Administrator

ENUGU – Enugu State Government on Friday, called for global collaboration against the persistent scourge of human trafficking and modern-day slavery in Nigeria.

Mrs Ngozi Enih, State Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, made the call during a solidarity rally in Enugu to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

She described the phenomenon as one of the most inhumane crimes confronting the world today.

Reports that the World Day Against Trafficking is celebrated every July 30, to create awareness on the scourge.

The 2025 commemoration has as its theme: “Human Trafficking is Organised Crime – End the Exploitation.”

Enih said that the time had come for concerted and transnational efforts to dismantle the networks of exploitation that thrive on human misery.

“Today, on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we stand in solidarity with victims of human trafficking. This crime steals dignity, freedom, and futures of women and children in particular.

“As we raise our voices, let us commit to stronger protection, justice for survivors, and a society where no one is left behind,”she said.

According to the commissioner, human trafficking is modern-day slavery that strips victims of their basic rights and dehumanises them for profit.

She pointed out that the state government had zero-tolerance policy for all forms of slavery, abuse, and violence that compromises human dignity.

The commissioner reiterated government’s resolve to continue working closely with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other partners to bring offenders to justice.

She called on religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and local communities to intensify awareness and grassroots mobilisation against trafficking networks.

According to her, ending human trafficking requires more than institutional action and demands a unified front by all sectors of society to prevent the recruitment, transportation, and exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

This, she noted, was more common especially to the underage girls and impoverished families.

“Every religious community, palace and classroom must become a fortress against trafficking. This is a fight for our humanity,”she urged. (NAN)

August 1, 2025 0 comments

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NAPTIP flags off nationwide training on human trafficking data collection

by Content Admin July 15, 2025

written by Content Admin

ENUGU- The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has flagged-off nationwide step-down training on the reviewed data collection for implementation of Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Human Trafficking.

Declaring the workshop open on Tuesday in Enugu, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Mrs Binta Bello, said the training was a critical milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to improve data-driven responses to human trafficking.

Bello, who was represented by the South East Zonal Commander of the agency, Mr Jonathan Ukpai, said the workshop was the culmination of the project tagged “From Policy to Action: Implementation of the National Action Plan on Human Trafficking in Nigeria (2022–2026)”.

Bello explained that the agency, in 2024, undertook an internal review of its data collection tools, introducing key improvements, including disability indicators to ensure more inclusive and accurate reporting.

“These revised instruments were further refined in collaboration with a consultant to align them with the project’s framework, culminating in the creation of a comprehensive national database and a dynamic data dashboard.

“The reviewed tools were pilot-tested during a training of trainers held in Abuja from July 1 to July 5.

“This workshop serves to cascade the knowledge to frontline officers across NAPTIP offices, State Task Forces, and partner Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

“I express deep appreciation to both the Swiss Government and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for their sustained partnership and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s fight against human trafficking,” she said.

In his speech, the Enugu State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, commended NAPTIP for the numerous work done in curbing human trafficking.

Udeh pledged the state government commitment and assistance to ensure that the agency got all the necessary support to easy their work.

On his part, NAPTIP’s Director of Research and Programme Development, Mr Josiah Emerole, emphasised the critical role of data in combating human trafficking.

Emerole, who was represented by his deputy director, Mr Rasheed Olatunji noted that the training was coming at a time when the agency and the federal government, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration focused on evidence-based performance.

While stressing that reliable data was the bedrock of accountability, the director said the participants were trained on the reviewed data collection instruments developed to enhance evidence-based programming and improve coordination across national and sub-national levels.

According to Emerole, the wokshop was aimed at strengthening data collection and reporting on the implementation of Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Human Trafficking.

In his goodwill message, the UNODC Country Representative, Mr Cheikh Toure, commended the enthusiasm and commitment of stakeholders working at the frontline of Nigeria’s anti-trafficking response.

He announced that the next major milestone would be the launch of the National Action Plan Reporting Dashboard on July 30, to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

According to Toure, the harmonised reporting tools reflect a deliberate emphasis on gender responsiveness and disability inclusion.

The Country Director praised the Enugu State government for supporting the NAPTIP State Task Force, stresing the need for strong sub-national partnerships in ensuring the sustainability of counter-trafficking efforts.(NAN)

July 15, 2025 0 comments

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NAPTIP flags off nationwide training on human trafficking data collection

by Administrator July 15, 2025

written by Administrator

ENUGU – The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has flagged-off nationwide step-down training on the reviewed data collection for implementation of Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Human Trafficking.