NAPTIP convicts 352 traffickers

By Amaechi Agbo

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has successfully convicted 352 traffickers since its establishment in 2003.
NAPTIP Director-General, Julie Okah-Doni, disclosed this in a letter sent to our correspondent to mark the 2018 World Day Against Human Trafficking and Child Abuse.
Established in 2003, NAPTIP has wide-reaching functions in addressing human trafficking/child labour, prevention, investigation, prosecution, rehabilitation of victims, among others.
According to the DG, “NAPTIP has taken encouraging strides in addressing trafficking in persons (TIP) since its establishment in 2003. Over the years, the agency has recorded 352 (Three hundred and fifty-two) convictions of traffickers for their crimes against Nigerian children and processed in excess of over 10, 000 (ten thousand) cases reported to the agency. About 8, 000 (eight thousand) victims of human trafficking have been empowered and rehabilitated.
“However, these efforts still need to be intensified, and it is part of the reason the agency is joining other stakeholders in marking this year’s World Day Against Human Trafficking.”
As part of activities to commemorate this year’s event on July 31, NAPTIP is holding a seminar/book launch at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja.
The event is aimed at sensitizing the general public on the scourge of human trafficking globally in Nigeria, engage top government officials and the diplomatic community on the need to redouble their efforts in eradicating human trafficking in Nigeria and to increase support and visibility for NAPTIP in its effort to eradicate human trafficking.
Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari will be the special guest of honour while His Grace, Emmanuel Chukwuma, Archbishop of Enugu, Anglican Communion, will deliver the lecture on “Trafficking in Persons: Nigeria Efforts and the Uncomfortable Truth.”
Expected to attend the events are ministers, state governors, commissioners, legislators, members of the diplomatic corps as well as religious and civil society groups.