The National Agency for the Prohibition in Trafficking in Persons and other related matters says human trafficking is now the fastest growing and the most notorious crime in Nigeria.
The agency said it had arrested over 100 suspected traffickers in the country in this year alone, while over 600 persons were rescued.
The Assistant Director, Research and Project Development of the agency, Godwin Morka, said this on Monday during the visit of NAPTIP and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to the PUNCH Place in Magboro, Ogun State.
Morka, who noted that ignorance and poverty were among factors that aided human trafficking, said the perpetrators had made millions of naira from the crime.
He said, “Trafficking is the fastest growing crime in Nigeria as it brings profits running into millions of naira to the perpetrators. In 2015, we have made over 100 arrests, and about 600 victims have also been rescued.
“The agency has been proactive in the area of public enlightenment so that people can report human trafficking cases to the agency. One of our challenges is the low reporting of the crime; this is why we are heightening awareness. We want collaboration with the media, both in advocacy and training.”
The Head, Press and Public Relations, NAPTIP, Josiah Emerole, said the agency had started a project in collaboration with the UNODC in six states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory aimed at training workers and providing enlightenment on how human trafficking could be eradicated in the country.
He added that 272 persons had been convicted by the agency since 2003 when it was established.
He said, “Apart from giving enlightenment, NAPTIP is also engaged in the protection of the rescued victims of trafficking. We do not only arrest the offender, we also take the victim for rehabilitation. So far, we have convicted 272 persons, and we could have done more but for the justice system which takes a long time for prosecution.
“The project with UNODC is ongoing in six states and the FCT. The states are Lagos, Benue, Anambra, Edo, Cross River, and Niger.”
A member of PUNCH editorial board, Simon Ekpe, said the agency should do more in ensuring that convicted cases were publicised to serve as a deterrent to prospective perpetrators.
Also in the delegation were the NAPTIP Lagos zone commander, Joseph Famakin, the project coordinator from UNODC, Michael Jensen, and the Head, Communications, UNODC, Sylvester Atere, among others.
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