Ifeanyi Ibe
National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has said there are about 1.6 million Nigerians who live in modern slavery daily.
The agency disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at he commemoration of its 20th anniversary.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIt also gave an estimated total global figure of about 50 million persons who live in modern slavery as captured in 2021, which is an increase of 10 million since 2016 record. But in Nigeria, the figure stands at 1.6 million as at May 2023.
The Director General, Prof Fatima Waziri-Azi said, “Only recently did the 2023 Global Slavery Index opine that globally, it is estimated that 50 million people were living in modern slavery on any day in 2021, an increase of 10 million people since 2016.
“What this narrative indicates is the urgent need for a more strategic and deliberate global response to these problems.
“As of May 2023, 1.6 million people are living in modern slavery in Nigeria, according to the Global Slavery Index.”
According to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, NAPTIP has recorded a lot of milestones since it was established.
He said, “Milestones achieved by the agency include 14,813 cases (of trafficking in persons) reported; 10,005 suspected traffickers arrested; 623 convictions (80 convictions in 2022 and 47 in 2023 for now, including the recent extradition of a high-profile human trafficker to Italy to serve her 13 years jail term).
“There are 260 ongoing cases in various courts across the country and the rescue of close to 22,000 victims of human trafficking.”
Sani-Gwarzo noted that NAPTIP has inaugurated the task forces against human trafficking in 22 states following the knowledge that the challenge is mostly located in subnational levels.
He said, “These task forces have over the years amplified the fight against human trafficking and enhanced collaboration with NAPTIP at the state level.”
