NACTAL Commends NAPTIP for Rescuing 24 Victims, Arresting Traffickers in Abuja
The Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) Nigeria has commended the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rescuing 24 victims of human trafficking and arresting five suspected traffickers in Abuja.
The commendation was issued in a statement signed by NACTAL’s National President, Mr. Abdulganiyu Abubakar, and released to journalists in Sokoto on Thursday.
Founded in 2005, NACTAL is a coalition of more than 150 civil society organisations dedicated to protecting children and vulnerable persons from exploitation. The group praised NAPTIP’s latest operation as a testament to the agency’s professionalism and determination to curb trafficking in Nigeria.
A Strong Warning to Traffickers
Abubakar described the rescue as a major win in the fight against trafficking, abuse, and exploitation—crimes that he said strip victims of dignity and fundamental rights.
“NACTAL seizes this opportunity to commend NAPTIP’s effectiveness in the operation that secured the freedom of 24 victims and the arrest of five suspected traffickers,” the statement partly read.
He, however, urged the agency to fast-track prosecution processes to ensure survivors see justice served. Abubakar cited the case of Bashariya, a trafficking survivor from Sokoto, stressing that swift trials not only deter offenders but also reassure victims of justice and safety.
Ongoing Collaboration
While applauding the rescue, NACTAL reaffirmed its commitment to continued collaboration with NAPTIP, government institutions, regional bodies, and international partners. The coalition pledged to strengthen efforts across the three pillars of prevention, protection, and prosecution in the anti-trafficking campaign.
Abubakar further highlighted NACTAL’s role as Nigeria’s representative in the West African Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling, stressing the importance of cross-border collaboration in tackling trafficking syndicates.
Nigeria’s Human Trafficking Challenge
Nigeria remains a hotspot for human trafficking in West Africa, with victims often exploited through sexual slavery, forced labour, domestic servitude, and smuggling.
According to NAPTIP’s 2023 annual report, more than 2,000 victims of trafficking were rescued nationwide, with many intercepted en route to Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
- In June 2024, NAPTIP rescued 34 victims, mostly young women, from traffickers in Lagos.
- In April 2024, the agency secured the conviction of three traffickers in Abuja.
The agency has consistently flagged states such as Edo, Delta, Kano, Sokoto, and Ogun as high-risk corridors for trafficking activities.
Global Partnerships in the Fight
To curb the menace, NAPTIP and NACTAL have collaborated with global partners including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the ECOWAS Commission. These partnerships focus on awareness campaigns, border monitoring, and strengthening legal frameworks.
The Way Forward
By commending NAPTIP’s Abuja operation, NACTAL underscored the importance of sustained collaboration and timely prosecution. The group emphasized that only through consistent enforcement, community engagement, and international partnerships can Nigeria reduce the trafficking scourge.
“Trafficking is not just a crime against individuals; it is a crime against humanity,” Abubakar declared. “Together, we must protect the dignity, rights, and future of vulnerable Nigerians.”
