The Ebonyi State Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) weekend said it rescued more than 64 victims of human trafficking and arrested over 90 suspects between 2022 and 2026.
The state commander of the agency, Mrs. Offor Berther, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abakaliki on the activities and achievements of the command since its establishment in the state.
She said the victims, comprising children and adults, were trafficked to countries such as Libya and Ghana, as well as to different parts of Nigeria for various forms of exploitation.
According to her, the command investigated no fewer than 74 trafficking-related cases within the period, while eight cases are currently pending in court.
Mrs. Offor noted that the agency had intensified sensitisation campaigns across the state, adding that anti-human trafficking awareness programmes had been taken to 64 schools in Ebonyi.
She further explained that Anti-Trafficking Vanguard and Brigade groups had been established in 19 schools to educate students on the dangers of trafficking and encourage vigilance among youths.
The commander also disclosed that community watchdog groups had been created in 24 communities to strengthen grassroots efforts aimed at preventing human trafficking and protecting vulnerable persons.
She urged residents to promptly report suspected trafficking cases through the agency’s emergency short code, 627, or via 08033333627.
As part of efforts to curb child trafficking and related crimes, Mrs. Offor appealed to landlords and landlords’ associations to make the submission of Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identification Number (NIN), and workplace identification compulsory for