The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has vowed to intensify its crackdown on human trafficking in 2026, warning traffickers that the coming year would be “unbearable” for their criminal operations.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Mrs Binta Adamu Bello, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while reviewing the agency’s performance in 2025 and unveiling its strategic priorities for the new year.
Bello said the agency secured 93 convictions in 2025 and rescued over 120 trafficked children, including victims exploited through illegal orphanages and care homes, while more than 2,500 potential victims were intercepted before being trafficked within and outside Nigeria.
She also revealed that NAPTIP, working with international partners, rescued over 370 Nigerian victims from countries such as Ghana, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.
“The year 2025 was unpleasant for human traffickers in Nigeria. We outsmarted them and their tactics, leading to an impressive number of convictions,” she said.
According to her, the agency doubled its operational activities following a directive for heightened surveillance across all commands, leading to increased arrests, prosecutions, partnerships and public enlightenment.
Bello said some high-profile traffickers, including operators of illegal orphanages and care homes, were arrested and prosecuted, while others remain under close surveillance.
“As unpleasant as 2025 was for traffickers, a real hard time awaits them in 2026. We have deliberately scaled up our operations to respond to emerging trends and challenges,” she added.
She said NAPTIP would strengthen collaboration with sister law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and stakeholders at all levels of government, including the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, to boost grassroots surveillance and detection.
The NAPTIP boss also said the agency would deepen engagement with the National and State Assemblies, governors and their spouses, and the judiciary to enhance legislative, executive and judicial support for anti-trafficking efforts.
“We will continue awareness and enlightenment programmes across the country, especially in unreached rural communities, to reduce vulnerability and build resistance to traffickers’ tactics,” she said.
Bello added that just days into 2026, the agency had already secured three convictions, warning that more traffickers would end up behind bars unless they abandoned their criminal activities.
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