From Khadijah Aliyu
National Agency for the prohibition of traffic in persons (NAPTIP) northwest zone, has rescued 231 victims from traffickers from January 2021 to date .
The northwest zonal commander of NAPTIP Malam Abduallahi Babale made this known during an exclusive interview with Radio Nigeria’s correspondent in kano
According to him, 25 people were also arrested for child abuse, sexual exploitation and other related offences.
He explained that the agency had convicted 7 persons including a cameronian who was found guilty of trafficking young girls from Cameroon to Europe through Kano and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment by a federal high court.
” 231 victims were rescued and they are victims of fraudulent entry of persons that is the case of smuggling of migrants where we apprehend suspects and the victims”
The northwest zonal commander pointed out that the NAPTIP trafficking in persons act of 2015 had set aside stiffer sanctions for all those found guilty of trafficking and fraudulent entry of persons into the country,states or local governments as well as other related offences.
Malam Abdullahi reaffirmed the agency’s readiness in curtailing the menace of human trafficking,child labour and exploitation,through sensitization and advocacy visits to relevant stakeholders.
” We have a sensitization and counselling section that is mainly concerned with issues relating to child labour and expolitation we enlighten parents and the general public on the dangers of young children engaging in street begging or serving as house helps”
He called on residents to report any fraudulent activity to the nearest NAPTIP office or through its 24 hour telephone lines and desist from taking law into their hands.