In the ongoing fight against human trafficking in Nigeria, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has achieved a significant milestone. Director-General, Fatima Waziri-Azi, announced that the agency has secured 631 convictions, including two high-profile transnational human traffickers based outside the country. This progress comes as Nigeria collaborates with the Canadian government, resulting in 80 convictions in 2022 and 55 convictions in 2023. One notable achievement was the extradition of a high-profile human trafficker to Italy to serve a 13-year sentence, made possible through the collaboration of multiple entities, including the Federal Ministry of Justice, International Police, INTERPOL, and the Nigerian judiciary.
Additionally, a Nigerian residing in Belgium, responsible for trafficking girls across Europe, has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and fined N24 million naira. To further combat human trafficking, NAPTIP introduced a first-of-its-kind training program for public relations and enlightenment officers from all 32 states in Nigeria. The objective of this training is to raise awareness about human trafficking through effective storytelling, social media content, and community engagement. By shedding light on the harsh reality of this crime, NAPTIP aims to encourage victims and witnesses to come forward, while strategic communication ensures their confidentiality and builds trust.
Highlighting the importance of international collaboration, Waziri-Azi emphasized that human trafficking knows no borders. Effective communication serves as a bridge, facilitating the exchange of best practices, insight, and resources among nations. Heather De Santis, Director-General of International and Intergovernmental Relations at Immigration Refugees and Citizenship, Canada, acknowledged the significance of this training in addressing irregular migration and effectively managing the movement of people across borders. The joint efforts of Canada and Nigeria in this endeavor highlight their commitment to combatting human trafficking and ensuring the safety of vulnerable individuals.
