Wikipedia

National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is a law enforcement agency of the federal government of Nigeria. It was established in July, 2003 to combat human trafficking and other similar human rights violations.[1]

National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons
NAPTIP LOGO
Agency overview
Formed14 July 2003 (14 July 2003)
TypeLaw enforcement
JurisdictionFederal Government of Nigeria
HeadquartersAbuja, FCT, Nigeria
MottoEnsuring a Human Trafficking free Nation
Agency executives
  • Dr. Fatima Waziri-Azi, Director General;
  • Hassan Hamis Tahir, Director Legal and Prosecution;
  • Arinze Orakwue, Director Public Enlightenment;
  • Godwin Morka, Director Research and Programme Development;
  • Olubiyi Olusayo, Director Training and Manpower Development;
  • Josiah Emerole, Director, Investigation and Monitoring;
  • Effeh Ekrika, Director Administration;
  • Ebele Ulasi, Director Counseling and Rehabilitation;
  • Sambo Abubakar, Director Finance and Accounts.
Parent agencyFederal Ministry of Justice
Websitenaptip.gov.ng

NAPTIP is a national compliance to the international obligation under the Trafficking in Persons Protocol and responds to the need to prevent, suppress, and punish trafficking in persons, especially women, and children, complementing the United Nations Transnational Organized Crime Convention (UNTOC).[1][2] It is one of the agencies under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Justice.[3]

Since its inception, the Agency has investigated over ten thousand cases of human trafficking and prosecuted about five hundred offenders.[2] Between 2003 and 2017, they convicted over 600 human traffickers and rescued about 21000 victims from Libya and other places.[4][5]

Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, assumed office as the Director General of NAPTIP on September 21, 2021.[6]

Origin

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NAPTIP was established under a federal bill on July 14, 2003[7] by the Trafficking in Persons(Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (2003)[8] through the advocacy of Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF).[9]

Objectives

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NAPTIP is mandated to enforce the Trafficking in Persons(Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA) in Nigeria.[10] In 2015, the Agency was also given the responsibility of implementing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAAP) Act which was then passed into law by the National Assembly.

Departments

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To discharge its duty smoothly in combating human trafficking, the agency has the following departments and units:[11]

  • Investigation and Monitoring
  • Legal and Prosecution.
  • Counselling & Rehabilitation
  • Public Enlightenment
  • Research and Programmes Development
  • Training and Manpower Development.
  • Administration.
  • Finance and Accounts.
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department
  • Violence Against Persons Department (VAP)
  • Special Duties Department

Units

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  • Procurement
  • Press and Public Relations
  • Intelligence and International Cooperation.
  • Audit.
  • Reforms.
  • Rapid Response Squad (RRS)[12]
  • Language

Zonal Commands

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Currently, the agency has 9 zonal commands located in Lagos, Benin, Enugu, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Oshogbo, Makurdi and Kano Command.[13][14]

Working With CSOs

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The agency partners with non-government organizations to carry out its tasks in different states. In 2013, NAPTIP started partnering[15] with Devatop Centre for Africa Development, a youth-led anti-human trafficking organization, to train and empower youth in combating human trafficking in Nigeria, as well as investigating cases and rescuing victims.[16] NAPTIP also partners with the Network of CSOs Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour, Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, and many others.

Working With EFCC

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NAPTIP requested for more support from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in their quest to rid the country of human trafficking and its attendant consequences on the image of Nigeria. This request was made by the Director General of the agency, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.[17]

Achievements

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Since its inception, the agency has had over 600[4] convictions on human traffickers, as of September 2017. Between 2003 and 2017, over 3000 victims have been rescued by NAPTIP.[5] The agency has been at the forefront of rescuing and rehabilitating Nigerians from Libya,[18] with the help of the Federal Government, the International Office for Migration, and other international organizations, which has gotten a commendation[19] from the United States.

References

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  1. ^ a b "National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) | Women's Consortium of Nigeria | committed to the enforcement of Women and children's rights". www.womenconsortiumofnigeria.org. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  2. ^ a b Lamai, Samuel (2021-01-11). "Farouq Urges NAPTIP To Use Data And Evidence Based System To Improve, Align Programmes With That Of The Ministry". Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  3. ^ "Stakeholders appraise developments in humanitarian affairs ministry". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2022-01-08. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  4. ^ a b Olaleye, Aluko (21 October 2018). "331 persons convicted for human trafficking, says NAPTIP". Punch Newspapers. Punch Newspaper. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  5. ^ a b Eno, Gabriel (11 April 2018). "3, 500 victims of human trafficking rescued by Naptip - Vanguard News". Vanguard News. Vanguard News. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  6. ^ "NAPTIP: Power play that led to former Senator's sack". Daily Trust. 2021-09-09. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  7. ^ Ibenegbu, George (28 November 2017). "Top 10 functions of NAPTIP". Naija.ng - Nigeria news. Naij.com. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  8. ^ "About NAPTIP – NAPTIP". www.naptip.gov.ng. NAPTIP. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  9. ^ Admin (2003). "Establishment of the National Agency for Traffic in Persons Law Enforcement and Administration" (PDF). The Nigerian Law book. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  10. ^ "Functions Of NAPTIP | Passnownow.com". passnownow.com. Passnownow. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Human Trafficking Day: NAPTIP rescues 14,000 victims in 16 years". 2019-07-31. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  12. ^ "NAPTIP inaugurates new Squad to fight human trafficking - News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)". News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). News Agency of Nigeria. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  13. ^ "Kaduna State Command – NAPTIP". Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  14. ^ "NGP WRF: Organizations". wrf.nigeriagovernance.org. Nigerian Governance. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Devatop partners NAPTIP and FIDA to train 120 Nigerian Lawyers On Anti-Trafficking Advocacy – Devatop Centre for Africa Development". Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  16. ^ "Devatop Anti-Human Trafficking Ambassadors visit National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)". African Centre for Media & Information Literacy. 8 July 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  17. ^ "Human Trafficking: NAPTIP Seek Improved Collaboration with EFCC". efccnigeria.org/. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  18. ^ "3, 500 victims of human trafficking rescued by Naptip - Vanguard News". Vanguard News. Vanguade News. 11 April 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  19. ^ "US rates NAPTIP high in combating human trafficking -". The Eagle Online. Eagle Online. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
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