The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has reported a remarkable achievement in reuniting approximately 1,200 victims of human trafficking with their families over the past year. This milestone was highlighted in a comprehensive three-year performance review spanning from September 2021 to September 2024.
The report, released in November 2024, provides an in-depth look at the tenure of NAPTIP’s immediate past Director-General, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi. According to the agency, a total of 1,198 trafficked victims were successfully reunited with their families across its nationwide offices between September 2023 and September 2024. Notably, the majority of these reunifications occurred in 2024, reflecting the agency’s intensified efforts during the period.
Data from the report revealed monthly variations in the number of victims rescued. In September 2023, NAPTIP rescued 101 victims, a figure that slightly increased to 105 in October and 112 in November. However, December 2023 witnessed a significant drop, with only 81 victims rescued. The trend continued into the new year, with 88 victims rescued in January 2024.
This number climbed to 109 in February but saw a slight decline to 95 in March. April 2024 recorded the lowest monthly rescue figure during this period, with only 67 victims rescued. The numbers rebounded in May, with a significant increase to 160 victims rescued, followed by 116 in June. The peak was recorded in July 2024, with 164 victims rescued, marking the highest monthly figure within the reporting period.
Victims rescued by NAPTIP received comprehensive support, including shelter, legal assistance, mental health counseling, and reintegration services, before being reunited with their families. These services were critical in ensuring the victims’ smooth transition back into society and their overall well-being.
In addition to its rescue and reunification efforts, NAPTIP has made substantial strides in securing justice for victims of trafficking (VoTs) and survivors of gender-based violence. Between January 2022 and August 2024, the agency secured 190 convictions for human trafficking, representing 27.94% of all convictions achieved by the agency since its inception 21 years ago. Additionally, NAPTIP recorded 20 convictions for rape and domestic violence during the same period, accounting for 74.07% of all such convictions secured by the agency since 2015.
Among the high-profile cases highlighted in the report were life imprisonment sentences handed down to three offenders convicted of rape. Seven offenders received prison terms of 10 years or more, including the notable case of Felicia Osaigbovo, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined N24 million for trafficking Nigerian girls to Belgium for sexual exploitation. Another case involved Patricia Igbinovia, who, in January 2024, was convicted of facilitating the trafficking of five victims to Spain and sentenced to seven years in prison along with a N1 million fine.
For less severe offences, 12 offenders received sentences ranging from one to four years, often accompanied by fines or compensation payments. In some instances, fines alone were imposed, ranging from N250,000 to N24 million.
The report credited these achievements to enhanced collaboration with local and international partners. Prof. Waziri-Azi emphasized the importance of these partnerships, stating, “These convictions are a testament to the agency’s unwavering commitment to justice and the resilience of survivors who courageously participated in the prosecution process.”
The report also shed light on the nature of exploitation faced by VoTs. Forced labour and sexual exploitation emerged as the predominant forms of abuse. Additional insights from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed that 1,114 victims, primarily females (82%), were subjected to forced labour and sex trade exploitation.
NAPTIP’s achievements underscore its dedication to combating human trafficking, securing justice for victims, and fostering partnerships to enhance its effectiveness. The agency’s continued efforts highlight the importance of collective action in addressing this global challenge.
