NAPTIP Says 64 Trafficking Survivors Rescued In Ebonyi Since 2022

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons says its Ebonyi State command has rescued more than 64 survivors of human trafficking between 2022 and 2026.

Premium Times reported that the state commander, Offor Berther, gave the figure on Friday while briefing journalists on the command’s activities since it was established.

Mrs Offor said the rescued persons included children and adults trafficked to Ghana, Libya and other parts of Nigeria.

She also said the command had arrested more than 90 suspects over human trafficking and related offences, investigated about 74 cases and had eight cases pending in court.

According to the report, NAPTIP has taken anti-trafficking campaigns to 64 schools in Ebonyi State. The agency also established anti-trafficking vanguard and brigade groups in 19 schools.

The commander said watchdog groups had been set up in 24 communities to support local prevention efforts and protect vulnerable persons.

NAPTIP is also asking landlords and landlords’ associations in Ebonyi to tighten tenant screening. Mrs Offor appealed for BVN, NIN and workplace identity cards to be required from prospective tenants as part of efforts to curb trafficking.

The request points to one of the agency’s concerns: traffickers often use ordinary residential spaces as temporary holding points while moving victims to other states or across borders.

The Ebonyi command said the school campaigns and community watchdog groups are meant to make early reporting easier, especially in places where children and young adults are most exposed to recruitment by traffickers.

Sources: Premium Times.