63 human traffickers convicted in 11 months

The Edo State Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Barr Nduka Nwanwenne, has said the agency has secured the conviction of 63 human traffickers across the country.

Nwanwenne disclosed this Tuesday in Benin during a two-day workshop on countering trafficking in persons for media practitioners and civil organisations organised by the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Child Labour (NACTAL), with support from USAID.

While quoting the agency’s Director General (DG), Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi, during his paper presentation, Nwanwenne said NAPTIP secured the convictions between January and November 2022.

He said the number was the highest in one year, noting that it was made possible through the dogged efforts of the agency.

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He called for the protection of trafficking victims, especially in the media, by not revealing their identities to avoid stigmatisation when reintegrated into society.

Earlier, NACTAL’s Programme Manager, Olayemi Samuel, said the network had so far trained over 200 persons in CSOs, NAPTIP, DSS, police and other relevant stakeholders on issues about trafficking in persons.