In a recent three-year performance overview, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) disclosed that approximately 1,200 trafficking victims in Nigeria were successfully reunited with their families within a year. The report covered the period from September 2021 to September 2024, under the leadership of the former Director-General, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi.
During the timeframe of September 2023 to September 2024, NAPTIP managed to reunite a total of 1,198 trafficking victims across its various offices nationwide, with a significant number of reunifications occurring in 2024.
The rescues conducted by NAPTIP showed fluctuations throughout the reporting period. For instance, the rescue numbers ranged from 101 victims in September 2023 to a peak of 164 victims in July 2024. The rescued individuals were provided with comprehensive support services such as shelter, legal aid, mental health counseling, and reintegration assistance before being reunited with their families.
Regarding convictions related to human trafficking, NAPTIP secured a total of 190 convictions between January 2022 and August 2024, accounting for nearly 28% of all trafficking convictions in the agency’s history. Additionally, there were 20 convictions for rape and domestic violence during the same period.
The successful convictions included notable cases such as life imprisonment sentences for offenders involved in rape and significant prison terms for others found guilty of trafficking offenses. These achievements were credited to improved collaboration with local and international partners, as stated by the former Director-General.
Forced labor and sexual exploitation emerged as the primary forms of abuse experienced by trafficking victims, with a majority of cases involving female victims. The report also highlighted the various methods of control employed by traffickers, including physical and psychological abuse, deception, threats, and wage withholding to coerce and manipulate victims.
Notably, it was revealed that a significant percentage of victims were trafficked by individuals known to them, such as friends or acquaintances. Looking ahead, NAPTIP expressed optimism about increasing the conviction rate of offenders in the upcoming year. Since its reintegration into the Ministry of Justice, the agency aims to enhance the delivery of justice against traffickers through streamlined collaboration and expedited legal processes.