The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has asked for more help from the public, organizations, and international partners to fight human trafficking groups that are becoming more advanced and hard to catch.
NAPTIP’s head, Binta Bello, made this request during a press event to launch activities for the upcoming World Day Against Human Trafficking on July 30, 2025.
At the agency’s office in Abuja, Bello explained that the theme for 2025—“Human Trafficking is Organised Crime, End the Exploitation”—shows how big and well-organized trafficking networks have become, using migration, supply chains, legal gaps, and the internet to exploit people.
She said the day is important not just for awareness but also to renew efforts and work together to end human trafficking in Nigeria.
Bello added that the theme also highlights the need to understand how human trafficking is linked to organized crime, while keeping the focus on helping victims.
She warned that traffickers are always finding new ways to trick people. These include fake job and scholarship offers, loan scams that lead to forced sex work, illegal baby-selling operations, organ trafficking, and internet scams.
Bello shared that NAPTIP’s legal and cybercrime units have been upgraded and are now working closely with the Federal Ministry of Justice to deal with online trafficking and exploitation.
She stressed that the agency is determined to defeat traffickers and will continue improving their strategies to stay ahead of them.
Bello warned traffickers that tougher times are coming. The agency will also work with more partners to detect and report trafficking across Nigeria.
She announced several activities, including an online forum called “Conversations with NAPTIP,” a national awareness walk on July 28, and a major stakeholder meeting on July 30 to discuss solutions.
This meeting will bring together policymakers, donors, law enforcement, NGOs, businesses, and survivors to talk about the theme and create better ways to fight trafficking.
Bello thanked the media for keeping the issue in the spotlight. She said their work has helped NAPTIP improve in five key areas: Prevention, Partnership, Policy, Protection, and Prosecution—leading to more awareness, stronger teamwork, and better support for victims.
She also expressed gratitude to the government, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, the National Assembly, and international partners like the UN, EU, and others for their support.
Nigeria still remains a country where people are trafficked from, through, and into. Criminal groups are using social media, informal networks, and weak borders to traffic people for sex, forced work, domestic slavery, organ removal, and cybercrimes.
NAPTIP says traffickers mainly target women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. Because of this, identifying and caring for victims has become harder and more urgent.
Bello said NAPTIP has increased its surveillance, information sharing, and cooperation with nearby countries to catch traffickers and save victims.
She warned that NAPTIP will strictly enforce trafficking laws and called on everyone—government, communities, and businesses—to work together.
She said human trafficking is a serious danger to national development. It mainly harms women and young people. She called on all Nigerians to unite and stop traffickers for good.
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is held every year on July 30 to spread awareness, support victims, and push governments to do more to stop trafficking.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has promised to give even more help to Nigeria in the fight against trafficking. The agency called trafficking a well-planned global crime that needs strong and united action to stop.
UNODC’s Nigeria representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure, said the theme shows that trafficking is not just random but a deliberate business that makes money from the suffering of vulnerable people.
He said the UN will stand with Nigeria to destroy trafficking networks, bring justice, protect victims, and punish criminals, while praising NAPTIP for its leadership.
Toure also listed four key UN-backed programs helping Nigeria fight trafficking. These include efforts funded by the EU, Netherlands, Switzerland, and others to improve data, stop smuggling, and support Nigeria’s national action plan.
He added that having good policies isn’t enough. Trafficking thrives in poor and neglected areas, especially where young people are vulnerable.
Toure urged that more attention and support go to local communities, traditional leaders, and grassroots groups, since they are the first line of defense against trafficking.
He finished by saying that the UN will continue working closely with Nigeria’s government, civil groups, and survivors to destroy trafficking networks and help victims, stressing that the time to act is now.
