The Kano Zonal Command of the Nationwide Company for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Individuals says it rescued 285 victims and apprehended 22 human traffickers in 2024.
The Zonal Commander, Mr Abdullahi Babale, made this recognized on Thursday in an interview with the Information Company of Nigeria in Kano.
Babale stated the 285 rescued victims comprised 78 males, 97 females, and 110 youngsters (64 boys and 46 women), aged between seven and 42.
He stated, “Out of the 285 victims, 53 are victims of trafficking in individuals, whereas 232 are survivors of sexual abuse, and gender-based violence amongst others.
“The victims have been counselled and rehabilitated earlier than being reunited with their households, and we empowered 52, with empowerment kits.”
Babale stated the 22 arrested suspects comprised eight males and 14 females.
He famous that the command obtained 211 circumstances through the interval underneath overview, which concerned each exterior and inner human trafficking.
The commander defined that the circumstances included baby abuse, baby labour, sexual abuse, and different circumstances underneath the Violence Towards Individuals Prohibition Act.
Babale stated the command additionally secured 15 convictions together with one international nationwide, whereas these convicted for varied offences comprised 13 males and two females.
He stated that the command carried out 88 sensitization/enlightenment programmes by way of radio and tv, colleges, communities, faith-based organizations, markets, workshops/coaching classes, and advocacy visits, highlighting the risks of human trafficking and different types of abuse.
“We efficiently profiled 720 migrants returnees from the Niger Republic, who travelled overseas looking for greener pasture through the interval reviewed,” he stated.
Babale, who referred to as for the collaboration of all stakeholders to battle human trafficking, cautioned Nigerians in opposition to embarking on abroad journeys within the identify of trying to find greener pastures.
Whereas calling on mother and father to guard their youngsters from being exploited and lured into slavery, he additionally urged the general public to report suspicious circumstances of human traffickers and trafficking of their respective communities.
(NAN)
