By Atlantic Reports

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says its Bauchi State office has recorded 70 trafficking cases and secured three convictions from January to date.

The State Coordinator, Alhaji Atiku Kalli, disclosed this on Monday in Bauchi, saying other cases were pending before courts.

Kalli said the agency had worked with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to rescue 25 victims from trafficking situations involving foreign countries.

He added that NAPTIP and its partners were supporting the reception, profiling and reintegration of returned migrants into their communities.

The account did not specify the countries involved, the circumstances of the rescues or the support available to survivors after their return.

Kalli said the agency had also begun investigating complaints about agents allegedly recruiting girls from rural communities to cities.

The allegations remain under investigation. He did not identify the agents, destinations or number of girls involved.

Recruitment and movement alone do not establish trafficking. The investigations will need to determine whether those involved were subjected to trafficking or exploitation.

Community Awareness and Prevention

Kalli said NAPTIP had conducted face-to-face sensitisation activities in more than 50 communities across Bauchi during the year.

These included visits to schools, motor parks and local communities, alongside meetings with relevant stakeholders.

He said radio and television programmes complemented the outreach, while engagements with women’s groups addressed trafficking and gender-based violence.

Kalli identified prevention, protection, prosecution, partnership and policy as the agency’s five strategic approaches to combating trafficking.

He pledged continued cooperation with stakeholders to protect women, children and other people at risk of exploitation.

Although the agency reported three convictions, the account did not provide the offences, sentences or number of defendants involved. It also did not specify how many of the 70 recorded cases had reached court.

Beyond prosecutions, sustained protection and reintegration support will be important to helping survivors rebuild their lives and reducing their exposure to further exploitation.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.