By Njoku Chijioke
The Kano Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has made significant strides in the fight against human trafficking, rescuing 285 victims and arresting 22 traffickers in 2024.
Zonal Commander Abdullahi Babale, speaking in Kano on Thursday, detailed the scope of the operation.
Among the rescued victims were 78 males, 97 females, and 110 children, aged 7 to 42 years.
He revealed that 53 were victims of trafficking, while 232 had suffered sexual abuse and gender-based violence.
All victims received counseling and rehabilitation, with 52 also empowered with reintegration kits.
The 22 arrested traffickers—8 males and 14 females—faced various charges related to human trafficking, child abuse, child labor, and sexual exploitation.
The command handled 211 cases, securing 15 convictions, including one foreign national.
Beyond enforcement, NAPTIP intensified public awareness, conducting 88 sensitization programs across radio, television, schools, communities, and faith-based groups.
The agency also profiled 720 Nigerian migrants returning from Niger Republic, many of whom had left in search of better opportunities abroad.
Commander Babale urged greater community involvement in combating trafficking, warning against the risks of illegal migration.
He encouraged parents to safeguard their children and the public to report suspected traffickers.
With a dual approach of rescue operations and preventive advocacy, NAPTIP’s Kano Command continues to lead the charge against one of Nigeria’s most pressing humanitarian crises.
