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Corruption among law enforcement agencies slowing fight against human trafficking, NAPTIP says

THE NATIONAL Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has identified corruption among law enforcement agencies and weak legislation as some of the factors militating against the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.

The agency condemned the rising number of Nigerians who are victims of trafficking and assured that it was revving its efforts to curb the menace.

The Director-General of NAPTIP Fatima Waziri-Azi, represented by the agency’s Director of Public Enlightenment, Kehinde Akomolafe said these at an anti-corruption radio programme, Public Conscience, produced by the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development (PRIMORG) in Abuja.

Speaking on an investigation that revealed the extent of brutal treatment and exploitation of Nigerians trafficked to Egypt, the NAPTIP boss said the organisation was aware of such cases and had already started taking action to save the victims.

He also cautioned the public not to accept offers that could jeopardise or dehumanise their lives.

She said long court cases, weak legislation and dishonest law enforcement officers contributed to human trafficking in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

“Corruption is endemic and cuts across other countries of the world, and that’s why trafficking is easily perpetrated in Nigeria and around the globe. You find law enforcement officials aiding and abetting traffickers. Some of them know these traffickers from their operations either at the entry or exit point. They give them something or become too familiar with them.

“Apart from the bribery aspect, we also have officials turning a blind eye to trafficking activities, and that’s why for us at the agency, we are not resting,” the agency’s boss stated.

According to her, the agency, from inception, has secured 672 convictions, 67 in 2023, and 35 persons so far in 2024.

She added that “NAPTIP is winning the war against trafficking but still wants stiffer punishment for traffickers and the support of the judiciary in hastening cases.

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She added that the agency was pushing for stiffer punishment against traffickers that would lead to confiscation of their proceeds and other wealth.

She declared that the agency would not take it lightly whenever law enforcement officials were found complicit.



Speaking on the programme, the Editor of Southern Operations, Human Angle Media, Kabir Adejumo said many Nigerians trafficked to Egypt engaged in forced labour and also lived in fear as authorities go after illegal immigrants.

Adejumo said victims who were interviewed during the investigation were eager and willing to return home, but their sponsors threatened to expose them and wouldn’t give them their passports.




     

     

    He also disclosed that a Nigerian was rescued by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and NAPTIP among several victims.

    In her contribution, the Director of the Human Angle Foundation, Angela Umoro-David, encouraged NAPTIP to stick to its mission by promptly responding to cases of human trafficking..

    Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program PRIMORG uses to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.

    The programme is supported by the MacArthur Foundation.

    Bankole Abe

    A reporter with the ICIR
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