By Dortu Afolabi
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, says it secured the conviction of 93 human traffickers and rescued 120 trafficked children across the country in 2025.
The Director-General of the Agency, Binta Bello, also disclosed that over 2,500 potential victims of human trafficking were intercepted while being deceived, recruited and trafficked for various forms of exploitation within and outside Nigeria.
In a statement by the Agency’s National Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, the Director-General reviewed NAPTIP’s activities for the year, describing 2025 as a difficult year for human traffickers in the country.
According to her, the agency intensified its operations, leading to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of several traffickers, including operators of some orphanages and care homes whose activities were uncovered.
She said in collaboration with international partners and stakeholders, NAPTIP also rescued over 370 Nigerian victims of human trafficking from Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and other countries.
Mrs Bello said the Agency is reviewing its counter-trafficking strategies and policies to strengthen operations and tighten the noose on traffickers in 2026.
She noted that NAPTIP has scaled up collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and stakeholders to address emerging trends in human trafficking.
The Director-General added that the Agency will also deepen engagement with the three tiers of government, traditional institutions and community-based organisations to enhance grassroots surveillance and early detection of trafficking activities.
She assured Nigerians that NAPTIP remains committed to making 2026 a difficult year for traffickers through sustained enforcement, prosecution, public awareness and enlightenment campaigns, especially in vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities.
Mrs Bello revealed that within the first few days of 2026, the Agency had already secured the conviction of three traffickers, warning that more arrests and prosecutions would follow.
She urged members of the public to report suspected cases of human trafficking to NAPTIP offices nationwide.
