The National Agency for the prohibition of trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Kano Zonal Command, has disclosed that the agency had succeeded in rescuing 1,085 victims of human trafficking, from January to July, 2023.

The Zonal Commander of the agency, Barrister Ibrahim Babale, explained that the victims comprising of 932 irregular migration, were repatriated and handed over to NAPTIP through International Organisation for Migration, (IOM) in collaboration with National Emergency Management Agency of Nigeria, (NEMA).

He stated that 153 of the total number of rescued are victims of human trafficking who were attempting to be smuggled outside the Nigeria. Some were rescued in Libya, Niger Republic, and other African countries.

Barrister Ibrahim Babale, on the other hand, emphasized that NAPTIP data found that males account for 80% of human trafficking victims, while females account for 20%.

The zonal commander mentioned that the agency is tasked with documenting victims of human trafficking, counseling, rehabilitation, and repatriation, as well as achieving human trafficking convictions for various correctional sentences.

During the month under review, the agency coordinated campaigns and sensitization programs against human trafficking and underage labor in marketplaces, schools, and parking lots, according to Babale.

He maintained that, NAPTIP Kano zonal command had also inaugurated anti human trafficking vanguards in three schools, federal government college Kano, and other Schools in Jigawa and Bauchi states.

While reiterating NAPTIPs commitment in curtailing the menace of human trafficking, he charged the public to report any suspected person or character to achieve the desired objectives.

Babale commended the Kano state government, security agencies, civil Society organizations, religious and traditional leaders for their dedication in making the ancient city one of the most peaceful states.