The Kano Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) rescued 285 victims and arrested 22 human traffickers in 2024, according to the Zonal Commander, Abdullahi Babale.
Babale disclosed this during an interview on Thursday in Kano, revealing that the rescued victims included 78 males, 97 females, and 110 children, aged between seven and 42. The children comprised 64 boys and 46 girls.
He explained that among the victims, 53 were directly trafficked, while 232 had endured sexual abuse, gender-based violence, and other forms of exploitation.
“After their rescue, the victims were counselled, rehabilitated, and reunited with their families. We also empowered 52 of them with various empowerment kits,” Babale said.
The command arrested 22 suspects, consisting of eight males and 14 females.
Over the year, it received 211 cases related to human trafficking, including child abuse, child labour, and sexual abuse, as well as violations under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act.
Babale added that the command secured 15 convictions, including that of a foreign national. The convicted individuals comprised 13 males and two females.
NAPTIP carried out 88 public sensitisation programmes through radio, television, schools, faith-based organisations, and markets to educate the public on the dangers of trafficking and abuse.
The agency also profiled 720 migrants returning from the Niger Republic who had left Nigeria in search of greener pastures.
Babale urged stakeholders to collaborate with NAPTIP in combating human trafficking, cautioning Nigerians against risky migration in search of better opportunities.
He further called on parents to protect their children from exploitation and advised the public to report suspicious activities linked to human trafficking.
“Human trafficking is a societal menace that requires collective action to eradicate. We urge all citizens to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding vulnerable individuals,” he said.
The command remains committed to curbing trafficking and ensuring justice for victims while advocating for stricter measures against offenders.
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