NACTAL Applauds NAPTIP for Rescuing 24 Trafficking Victims, Urges Swift Prosecution of Suspects

The Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) has praised the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rescuing 24 victims of human trafficking and arresting five suspected traffickers in Abuja.

The commendation was contained in a statement released on Thursday in Sokoto by NACTAL’s National President, Mr. Abdulganiyu Abubakar.

NACTAL, established in 2005, is a coalition of over 150 civil society organisations working to protect children and vulnerable persons from exploitation. Abubakar described NAPTIP’s recent operation as proof of the agency’s professionalism and commitment to combating trafficking, which he called a grave crime that strips victims of dignity and fundamental rights.

“NACTAL commends NAPTIP’s effectiveness in securing the freedom of 24 victims and apprehending five suspects,” the statement read in part.

However, the group urged the agency to fast-track prosecution processes to ensure justice for survivors and deter traffickers. Abubakar cited the case of Bashariya, a trafficking survivor from Sokoto, as an example where delayed trials risk undermining victims’ trust in justice.

While pledging continued collaboration with NAPTIP, Abubakar reaffirmed NACTAL’s commitment to working with government agencies, civil society groups, regional bodies, and international partners to strengthen prevention, protection, and prosecution mechanisms.

He also highlighted NACTAL’s role as Nigeria’s representative in the West African Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling, stressing the importance of cross-border cooperation in tackling trafficking networks.

Nigeria remains a major trafficking hotspot in West Africa, with victims often targeted for sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced labour, and cross-border smuggling. According to NAPTIP, more than 2,000 victims were rescued nationwide in 2023, while in June 2024, the agency freed 34 mostly young women from traffickers in Lagos.

By commending NAPTIP’s latest rescue mission, NACTAL emphasized that sustained collaboration and timely prosecution are crucial to consolidating progress and protecting vulnerable Nigerians along high-risk trafficking routes, particularly in Edo, Delta, Kano, Sokoto, and Ogun States.