Introduction
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is the focal Agency for the fight against the scourge of human trafficking in all its ramifications, it is empowered by the law to amongst other functions provide an effective and comprehensive Legal and Institutional framework for the prohibition, prevention, detection, prosecution and punishment of human trafficking and other related offences in Nigeria.
The NAPTIP E-Digest is a platform created by the Director – General in line with her resolve to extend NAPTIPs reach and continue to create awareness and sensitize the public on the activities of NAPTIP and the evils of human trafficking and violence against persons. It also projects various NAPTIP platforms for seeking help.
The November edition of NAPTIP Digest is packed with stories of the continued strides being made by NAPTIP. In February 2022, NAPTIP in line with section 41 (1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP) Act, 2015 appointed Protection Officers (NPOs) to cover the six area councils of FCT. The duties of this NPOs as provided in the VAPP Act include coordinating the activities of the police and accredited service providers in the area councils to ensure that victims/survivors of violence access justice, safe space, medical services and every possible assistance as well as to assist the court in the discharge of its duties under the act. This edition of the digest will explore the work of the protection officers especially in relation of the recently held two weeks sensitization activities in the six (6) Area council of FCT.
To begin the 16 Days of Activism, NAPTIP and her Partners took to the streets of the Federal Capital Territory on a sensitization Walk to further awaken the consciousness of citizens about the danger of SGBV, the channels of reporting cases and reminder that the Federal Government of Nigeria has zero tolerance to SGBV.
During the month of November, NAPTIP as part of efforts to ensure sustainable rehabilitation of survivors of human trafficking and violence organised a victim’s assistance and medical outreach for survivors at its Abuja shelter, The activity is aimed at improving the well – being of survivors through access to medical examination, consultation. Prescription and treatments while building their capacity on general public health education and basic hygiene. Details of this activity are contained in the report.
In November edition of the news digest there is also a report of the recent NAPTIPs collaboration with the Government of Kebbi State in the area of prevention of Human trafficking and rehabilitation of victims as well as the inauguration of the Anti – Human Trafficking and Violence Against Persons Vanguard in the Federal Unity Colleges in Abuja. The importance of the Vanguard is to educate schools’ management staff and students on the dangers, red – flags and effect of human trafficking and also the new trends in human trafficking. The Vanguard will empower the schools to continue enlightening their staff and students on human trafficking and violence against persons.
Please enjoy the November edition of NAPTIP News Digest.
NAPTIP Protection Officers and Community Alliance Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence In FCT
— Sensitization in the six Area Councils in the FCT: Bwari, Kwali, Abaji, Kuje, Gwagwalada and AMAC.
In line with section 41 (1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, NAPTIP in February 2022, appointed 12 NAPTIP Protection Officers (NPOs) to cover the six area councils of FCT that is Bwari, Kwali, Abaji, Kuje, Gwagwalada and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). The duties of NPOs as outlined in the VAPP Act include coordinating the activities of the police and accredited service providers in the area councils to ensure that victims/survivors of violence access justice, safe space, medical services, and every possible assistance and to assist the Court in the discharge of its duties under the Act.
NPOs also work with the FCT Social Development Service in the area council and the community, to raise awareness on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), referral pathways and reporting channels.
As part of NAPTIP’s activities to commemorate the 2022 16 Days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) NAPTIP in collaboration with the FCT Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Team (FCT SGBV RT), Wives of Traditional Rulers Association of Nigeria, Justice Research Institute, National Human Rights Commission and with co-funding from Ford Foundation conducted two weeks community sensitization activities in the six (6) Area Council of FCT.
The sensitization which took the form of a townhall meeting brought together community chiefs, traditional rulers, district heads, village heads, Clerics (Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Chief Imams and Mallams), market women association, parents, teachers and students, community women, youth groups and persons with disabilities from the different districts and wards that make up the community within the area council. The event was also attended by law enforcement officers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Man O’ War and other accredited service providers within the FCT.
In her opening remark, the Director General of NAPTIP, Dr. Fatima Waziri-Azi stated that while government remained committed to keeping women and children safe, most of the crime of SGBV happens at the community level that must also be solved at the community level as such she called on everyone to target those cultural norms that makes SGBV fester. Which was why NAPTIP and its partners decided to go into the area councils to sensitize the community, she stated. Dr Waziri-Azi called on all traditional leaders, clerics and community leaders to use their extraordinary moral authority to break barriers that perpetual SGBV and harmful traditional practices and challenge attitudes that normalize and rationalize these kinds of crimes. She concluded by imploring everyone to always report abusers and not look away and to report all cases of domestic and sexual violence to NAPTIP.
Helen Emuze, from the Public Enlightenment Department (PE) enlightened participants on provisions of the VAPP Act of 2015, different offences that constitute violence, referral pathways, reporting channels and expectations from the different community and religious groups and how people who are violated can access justice against their violators stating that the Agency has zero tolerance for all forms of violence against persons in public and in private lives.
Furthermore, NAPTIP Teenage Ambassador, Maryam Babatunde, highlighted the plight of the girl child in Nigeria, and made a strong case against early marriage, rape and female genital mutilation while calling on all participants to join forces with NAPTIP against all forms of violence and violation against girls.
The active and vibrant engagement of the participants during the interactive sessions re-emphasized the relevance, and impact of the sensitization. Participants asked questions and made contributions that revealed the magnitude, trend and types of sexual and gender-based violence happening in the different area councils. The local area council chairmen, wives of traditional rulers’ association district and village heads present also expressed gratitude to NAPTIP for identifying with their communities and assured NAPTIP of their alliance and commitments to support the Agency in the fight against SGBV going forward. The clerics also added their voices to explain to the participants the different session in the Holy Books (Qua’ran and Bible) that categorically prohibits violence against persons.
During the community sensitization exercise in AMAC, the President of the Association of the Traditional Rulers Wives, HRH Hannatu, commended NAPTIP for its alliance with the community and partnership which has led to the rescue of many victims of sexual and gender-based violence some of which are currently being prosecuted by the Agency. She also thanked the traditional rulers for supporting them to run their association without hindrance and advocated for more of such support to create an unsafe haven for perpetrators of domestic violence and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence in the FCT.
The community outreach was graced by the Chairmen of the six (6) local area councils: Hon Christopher Zaka Maikalangu (AMAC), Hon. Abubakar Umar Abdullahi (Abaji), Hon Danladi Chiya (Kwali), Hon Abu Giri (Gwagwalada), Hon. Abdullahi Suleiman Sabo (Kuje), Hon. Dr. John Shekwogaza Gabaya, (Bwari). They all pledged their continuous support to NAPTIP and combating SGBV within the FCT.
High point of this event was the Free Legal and Counselling Clinic led by the NAPTIP Director of VAP Department, Mrs. Ijeoma Amugo and trained counsellors from the Counselling and Rehabilitation Department. The session enabled participants to get on-the-spot legal advice and counselling services.
There was the mounting of NAPTIP Billboards in each of the Area Councils with images and inscriptions depicting examples of SGBV and reporting channels. It was also a moment for the Area Council Chairmen, District and Village Heads to stand in solidarity with NAPTIP and the FCT SGBV RT to combat gender-based violence in the FCT.
Victims Assistance/Medical Outreach Support for Survivors of Human Trafficking in NAPTIP Abuja Shelter
As part of a strategy to ensure sustainable rehabilitation of survivors of human trafficking and violence, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is employing a range of protective measures to ensure progressive healing, recovery and safe space for survivors in its shelters. In partnership with the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) under the Framework of the Niger-Nigeria Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Project, NAPTIP hosted a medical outreach on 12th November 2022 for 56 Survivors from NAPTIP, WOTCLEF AND MeCHAT Shelter.
The outreach was supported by five (5) medical specialists from Auxano Foundation for Empowerment and Development, including a Gynecologist, Optometrist, Family Physician and General physician. Also present was a representative of the Network of all Civil Society Against Trafficking and Labour (NACTAL).
The medical outreach aims to improve the health and well-being of survivors through access to medical examination, consultation, prescription, and treatments while building on their knowledge and understanding of general public health education and hygiene.
In her welcome address, the Director General, Dr. Fatima Waziri-Azi, represented by Mrs. Kehinde Akomolafe, Director Counselling and Rehabilitation, welcome all partners and stakeholders and particularly thanked the funders for supporting the event and the team medical professionals for volunteering their time to provide this very important service. (IS THIS ALL SHE SAID? NOTHING IMPACTFUL?)
Dr. babajide Feyisinmi Grace, Team Lead, Auxano Foundation, in her remark commended the Director General NAPTIP for ensuring that health care is part of the services the shelter offer victims of human trafficking and survivors’ violence against persons as it is a crime that affects the body, mind and spirit, hence victims and survivors needs medical, psychological and emotional healing. The victims and survivors were split into 2 groups for the lecture facilitation to achieve age-appropriate engagement and were taken through gynecological, eye and general body examination. As part of the medical outreach, ICMPD, represented by Adeniyi Bakre Assistant donation of drugs to the shelter. All 56 Survivors were also gifted with bag packs with gift items.
16 Days of Activism against SGBV
Theme: Unite! Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls.
Date: 25th November 2022 – 10th December 2022.
Governor of Kebbi Identifies With NAPTIP
On Friday 18th November 2022 the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, His Excellency Dr. Atiku Bagudu, CON, for the second time paid a visit to the NAPTIP Kebbi State Command. During the visit, the Governor interacted with four female victims of human trafficking who were intercepted on their way to Libya and transferred to NAPTIP by the Nigeria Immigration Service on Thursday 17 November 2022. The victims who confirmed they initially did not understand the nature of trafficking, confirmed to the Governor that they will cooperate with the Agency in order to prevent others from falling prey to the antics of human traffickers.
The State Commander, Misbahu Iyya Kaura, also briefed the Governor about the challenges of the Command to include Shelter for rescued victims, an adequate detention center and synergizing state government efforts with the national policy on trafficking through the State Task Force. The Governor, in his response assured of his administration’s commitment and support to NAPTIP in combatting the scourge of trafficking in persons in Kebbi State, and Nigeria at large.
NAPTIP Inaugurates Anti-Human Trafficking and Violence Against Persons Vanguard in The Federal Unity Colleges at The Headquarters.
Towards the end of the first quarter of 2022, the Federal Ministry of Education gave approval for the Agency to sensitize and inaugurate NAPTIP Anti-Human Trafficking and Violence Against Persons Vanguards in all the 110 Federal Unity Colleges across Nigeria. This was a major preventive strategy adopted by the Agency to curtail incidences of peer influence, an enabling push factor for human trafficking.
The essence of the Vanguard is to educate schools’ management, staff and students on the dangers, the red flags and effect of human trafficking as well as the new trends in human trafficking. While the Vanguard is giving ownership or authority for continuous enlightenment to the schools through a group of students, supervised by one or two teachers in the schools, the vanguards are expected to create awareness on human trafficking to their peers through forums, songs, drama, playlet, write ups, essay, debates and quiz competitions.
In achieving this, the Zonal, and State Commands and liaison offices were directed to conduct the sensitization and inaugurate vanguards in all the Federal Unity Colleges within their jurisdictions.
The Agency has so far sensitized and inaugurated the Vanguard in Fifty-three (53) Federal Unity schools between June and November, 2022. The Headquarters took charge of the Federal Unity Schools in FCT, Kogi, Niger and one Federal Science and Technical College, Orozo-Nasarawa State because of its proximity to the FCT. The FCT has five, Kogi State has two, while Niger State also has five Federal Unity schools. The Headquarters has so far successfully Sensitized and Inaugurated eleven schools out of the thirteen schools within its jurisdiction.
The schools were sensitized on the meaning of human trafficking, elements of human trafficking, its effects, mode of operations of human traffickers, current trends in human trafficking, how technology is enabling human trafficking, red flags of human trafficking, strategies adopted by the Agency in curbing the crime, the importance of reporting and so on.
Inaugurated members of the vanguards were also urged to further the sensitization to their peers through forums, songs, drama, write ups, debate, quiz and essay competitions. They were also given students handbooks where duties of every executive member of the vanguard are clearly spelt out, while NAPTIP RED CARD Banner was given to every school for use on club meeting days.
Every school sensitized and inaugurated was given a bill board erected and unveiled as a sign of NAPTIP’s presence in the schools.
At the end of every programme, the principals and managements expressed their appreciation and allegiance for continuity to the Director General.
LIST OF FEDERAL UNITY SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN SENSITIZED AND NAPTIP VANGUARD INAUGURATED AS AT 30TH NOVEMBER 2022.
| S/NO | GEO-POLITICAL ZONE | UNITY SCHOOL | STATE/TOWN | NAPTIP OFFICE IN CHARGE |
| 1 | North East | Federal Government College | Yobe/ Buni yadi | Yobe State Command |
| 2 | Federal Government Girls College | Yobe/ Potiskum | “ | |
| 3 | Federal Government College Bajoga | Gombe/ Bajoga | Gombe State Command | |
| 4 | Federal Government College | Adamawa/Ganye | Adamawa State Liaison Office | |
| 5 | Federal Government Girls College | Adamawa/ Yola | “ | |
| 6 | Federal Science and Technical College | Borno/ Lassa | Maiduguri Zonal Command | |
| 7 | Federal Government College | Borno/ Maiduguri | “ | |
| 8 | Federal Science and Technical College | Borno/ Monguno | ||
| 9 | Federal Science and Technical College | Borno/ Michika | ||
| 10 | Federal Government Girls College | Bauchi/Bauchi | Was done by Kano Zonal Command | |
| 11 | Federal Government College | Bauchi/Azare | “ | |
| 12 | North West | Federal science College | Sokoto/ Sokoto | Sokoto Zonal Command |
| 13 | Federal Government Girls College | Zamfara/ Gusau | “ | |
| 14 | Federal Government College | Zamfara/ Birnin Yauri | “ | |
| 15 | Federal Government College | Kano/ Kano | Kano Zonal Command | |
| 16 | Federal Government Girls College | Kano/ Minjibir | “ | |
| S/NO | GEO-POLITICAL ZONE | UNITY SCHOOL | STATE/TOWN | NAPTIP OFFICE IN CHARGE |
| 17 | North West | Federal Government Girls College | Jigawa/ Kazaure | Kano State Zonal Command |
| 18 | Federal Government College | Jigawa/ Kiyawa | “ | |
| 19 | Federal Government College | Katsina/ Daura | Katsina State Liaison Office | |
| 20 | Federal Science and Technical College | Kaduna/Kafanchan | Kaduna State Liaison Office | |
| 21 | Fedral Government College | Kaduna/Kaduna | ‘’ | |
| 22 | Federal Government Girls College | Kaduna/Zaria | ‘’ | |
| 23 | North Central | Federal Science and Technical College | Nasarawa/ Doma | Nasarawa Liaison Office |
| 24 | Federal Government College | Plateau/Jos | Plateau State Command | |
| 25 | Federal Government Girls College | FCT/ Abaji | Headquarters | |
| 26 | Federal Government Girls College | FCT/ Bwari | “ | |
| 27 | Federal Government College | FCT/ Rubochi | “ | |
| 28 | Federal Government Boys’ College | FCT/ Garki | “ | |
| 29 | Federal Government College | FCT/ Kwali | “ | |
| 30 | Federal Government College | Niger/ New Bussa | “ | |
| 31 | Federal Government Girls College | Niger/ Bida | “ | |
| 32 | Federal Government College | Niger/ Minna | “ | |
| 33 | Federal Science and Technical College | Niger/ Kuta Shiroro | “ | |
| 34 | Federal Government College | Kogi/ Ugwolawo | “ | |
| 35 | Federal Government Girls’ College | Kogi/ Kabba | “ | |
| 36 | South West | Federal Government College | Osun/ Ikirun | Osogbo Zonal Command |
| 37 | Federal Government Girls College | Osun/ Ipetumodu | “ | |
| 38 | Federal Science and Technical College | Osun/ Ilesha | “ | |
| 39 | Federal Government Girls College | Ondo/ Akure | “ | |
| 40 | Federal Government College | Oyo/ Ogbomoso | Oyo State Command | |
| 41 | Federal Government College | Kwara/ Ilorin | Kwara State Command | |
| 42 | South East | Federal Government College | Anambra/ Nise | Anambra State Command |
| 43 | Federal Government Girls College | Ebonyi/ Ezzamgbo | Ebonyi Liaison Office | |
| 44 | Federal Government Girls College | Abia/ | ||
| 45 | Federal Government Girls College | Enugu/Lejja | Enugu Zonal Command | |
| 46 | South South | Federal science and Technical College | Edo/ Uromi | Benin Zonal Command |
| 47 | Federal Government College | Edo/ Ibillo | “ | |
| 48 | Federal Government Girls College | Edo State/ Benin City | “ | |
| 49 | Federal Government College | Delta/ Warri | “ | |
| 50 | Federal Government Girls College | Delta/ Ibusa | “ | |
| 51 | Federal Science and Technical College | Akwa Ibom/Uyo | Uyo Zonal
Command |
|
| 52 | Federal Government Girls College | Rivers State/ Abuloma | Rivers State Command | |
| 53 | Federal Government College | Rivers/ Portharcourt | “ | |
Survivor Forum; Vocational Skills Empowerment for SGBV Survivors
Despite advances in women’s rights, violence against women and girls remains one of the most pervasive human rights abuses, particularly in Nigeria. Each incident of gender-based violence violates an individual’s rights that can significantly impact the survivor’s safety, health and quality of life after the violence. The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 demands that all survivors have a right to protection, medical assistance, care, support and justice after violence occurs. Thus, systems are put in place to ensure survivors has the opportunity to heal, prevent the re-occurrence of violence, mitigate the consequences of violence and break the cycle.
The Survivor’s Forum is a project designed for survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) as an avenue to support them to become socially, psychologically and economically stable after abuse officially started on 30th November 2022 was yet another milestone for thirty-two Survivors of SGBV in the FCT acquired basic skills on soap making and confectionaries. The training which was a collaborative effort between the FCT Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Team (FCT SGBV RT) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) was held at the NAPTIP Training Resource Centre, Abuja.
The forum is part of the activities that fall in the broader project “strengthening the capacity of the Nigerian Police Force and FCT SGBV RT to respond to gender-based violence” is designed in a way that consists of regular informal meetings that bring together SGBV survivors to provide a safe and supportive environment for interactive learning and group therapy. The forum is expected to further support breaking the culture of silence and isolation survivors experience through peer support and the assistance of a trained psychologist-facilitator. The forum is also designed to provide legal and medical support if required. During each session, the team will offer empowerment packs to survivors, which can help survivors develop economic and survival skills.
Declaring the Forum open, the Director General NAPTIP, Dr. Fatima Waziri-Azi, informed that the Survivor Forum, which is happening as part of the 16 Days Activism Against SGBV is an Empowerment forum that encourages survivors of SGBV to learn one or two skills that will be useful in keeping them economically sustained. “as a woman you have to empower yourself, that is your strength, most times women who find themselves in abusive situations do not have the courage to leave a such abusive situation because they are disempowered”, she emphasized. The DG further encouraged the survivor to adopt basic principles such as kindness, patience, humility, decency, hard work and fear of God as a panacea to succeed.
The Desk Officer of the FCT SGBV RT, Mrs. Ike Jacinta Ngozi welcomed all participants to the Survivor Forum stating that the Forum was intentionally put together to create safe space where survivors’ stories of violence can be shared, heard and validated. She encouraged the survivors to make the most of their learning experience as they never know how that will be useful in the future.
The event progressed into an interactive session on ‘Dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTDS)” anchored by Idara J. Brown from the Counselling and Rehabilitation Department of NAPTIP. She took the survivors through the signs and dangers of PTSD, how they can get help and why they should seek help whenever they notice any of the symptoms of PTSD.
The technical session of the Forum was integrative as a fellow Survivor, Grace Chibueze Sunday shared her experience with other Survivors on how she survived GBV and made the most of her opportunities. She shared story of how she fought her way through and escaped many violence and violations including early marriage, attempted rape, physical and verbal abuse and violence that affected her health and wellbeing. She encouraged the survivors to take charge of their lives. She also narrated how she grew her “okririka” business with N2500 naira seed capital. “You can start your business with any little money because I started mine with just N2500, never spend money given to you without putting it to work, avoid unnecessary spendings because when you begin to work for money yourself, you’d understand the value of money?” she advised. She also encouraged the participants to leverage on online opportunities to improve themselves and market their products “embrace YouTube, use your social media platforms well, monitize them. Explore digital marketing and content creations”. She concluded by advising survivors to discard any attitude of entitlements and embrace gratitude especially to NAPTIP and other shelters that has rescued and took them in.
Highpoint of the event was the practical training session for the Survivors. The training was a hands-on on the production of liquid soap and making and peanut burger. Lesson notes were shared with step-by-step instructions on the production process and survivors were given the chemicals to practice. The training was facilitated by Mrs. Obageli Ezeifeka.
At the end of the training, Survivors expressed gratitude to NAPTIP and FCT SGBV RT for organizing such an enriching event. Their engagement and participation during the training shows interest and determination.
Progress Report
NAPTIP in continuation of its resolve to ensure the punishment of offenders of trafficking in persons and violence against persons as a major form of deterrence have so far recorded 74 convictions in this calendar year and still counting.
NAPTIP E-Digest is a monthly Newsletter to extend NAPTIP’s reach and continue to create awareness and sensitize the public on the activities of NAPTIP and the evils of human trafficking and violence against persons. It also projects various NAPTIP platforms for seeking help.
Previous Digests
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- 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence
- Psychological First Aid Training for NAPTIP Staff
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