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Waziri-Azi: NAPTIP has Achieved 624 Convictions

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Waziri-Azi: NAPTIP has Achieved 624 Convictions

By: Michael Mike

In 20 years, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has secured 624 convictions for trafficking in persons offenses, the Director General of the agency, Prof Fatima Waziri-Azi has disclosed.

Speaking at the ceremony to celebrate the 20 years anniversary of the agency in Abuja on Thursday, Waziri-Azi said NAPTIP has progressed from its very first command in Benin -Edo State to offices in 32 states and task force against human trafficking in 22 states.

She said. “We have made progress in our criminal justice response with a significant increase in convictions (624 Convictions since the first conviction was secured in 2006″.

Waziri-Azi further said the agency secured 80 convictions in 2022 which is the highest in a single year since the inception of NAPTIP and 48 convictions and counting in 2023 including for the first time the conviction of a law enforcement officer for human trafficking offences

The DG while noting that the agency has prosecuted several mutual legal assistance cases, said on the 8 of March 2023, NAPTIP was able to extradite a high profile human trafficker to Italy to serve out her 13 years jail term.

She said: “Our recent strategic partnership with Meta (owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) and the United States National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children have further enhanced the capacity of NAPTIP to tackle issues of online child exploitation.”

She noted that Nigeria is better poised to control and tackle human trafficking because of the collaborative efforts of everyone.

Waziri-Azi said last year, with support from our supervising Ministry, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Alfairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, not one but three policy documents targeted at revolutionizing the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria, including the National Action Plan on Human Trafficking (2022-2026); were approved by the Federal Executive Council.”

She added that: “Today we will present more policy documents and innovations and they include: NAPTIP Disability Inclusion Policy, NAPTIP Service Charter, policy documents that have been transcribed into braille for the blind in collaboration with the disability commission.”

She noted that part of the improvement of the agency was the rebranding of the organisation’s logo, that has already been mainstreamed.

She said: “The rebranded logo represents a re-commitment from NAPTIP to protect all persons against human trafficking, and violence against persons through a people-centered access to justice, and the provision of safe spaces.”

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo in his address reiterated that human trafficking knows no boundaries, stressing that it thrives in the shadows, exploiting vulnerabilities and preying on the marginalized and defenseless.

Sani-Gwarzo who was represented by the Deputy Director of Humanitarian, Charles Anielo said, on the part of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development, the coordinating ministry for all humanitarian and migrations issues in Nigeria, Federal government is committed to combating all aspect of irregular migration which requires multi-stakeholders’ engagement in comprehensive and protect multidisciplinary manner that proactively focuses on how best to and assist vulnerable persons within the entire migration circle and punish the perpetrators.

He said: “We have witnessed the incredible power of cooperation and the unwavering dedication of countless individuals who have come together to combat the injustice of human trafficking.

“Today we pay tribute to each and every person and we celebrate the numerous lives that have been transformed, the futures that have been rewritten, and the hope that has been restored.”

Waziri-Azi: NAPTIP has Achieved 624 Convictions

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Troops clear ISWAP enclaves, recover arms, neutralise IEDs in Borno

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Troops clear ISWAP enclaves, recover arms, neutralise IEDs in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have intensified offensive operations against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements, clearing multiple terrorist enclaves in the Kashimori axis of Borno State and recovering arms, logistics and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted in the early hours of Feb. 2, 2026, under Operation Desert Sanity, with troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade (SAB) operating in conjunction with volunteer forces.

The sources said the troops carried out a coordinated clearance of several ISWAP hideouts clustered around the Kashimori area, spanning multiple locations within Guzamala axis, following actionable intelligence on terrorist presence and logistics activity.

According to the sources, although the enclaves were active prior to the operation, the terrorists abandoned their positions before the arrival of troops, apparently fleeing on sensing the advancing force.

“During the clearance operations, troops destroyed terrorist life-support structures across the enclaves and recovered one motorcycle, one tricycle, five AK-47 magazines and five terrorist flags,” the sources stated.

It added that two IEDs were discovered at separate locations during the operation and were safely detonated in situ by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, while one unprimed IED was recovered intact.

The military said the operation was executed across difficult terrain, with troops encountering significant mobility challenges due to sandy soil conditions and mechanical faults affecting several vehicles and motorcycles.

Despite the constraints, the troops successfully completed the mission objectives and later harboured at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kawuri without casualty.

The sustained pressure was being maintained on terrorist elements to deny them freedom of movement, logistics corridors and safe havens.

Operation Hadin Kai has in recent weeks intensified clearance and domination patrols as part of efforts to degrade ISWAP and Boko Haram remnants, disrupt their IED networks and prevent regrouping ahead of the dry season movement window.

Troops clear ISWAP enclaves, recover arms, neutralise IEDs in Borno

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NSCDC Launches Gender Policy II to Deepen Inclusive Security Delivery

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NSCDC Launches Gender Policy II to Deepen Inclusive Security Delivery

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has unveiled its Gender Policy II, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive, people-centred security delivery and institutional professionalism.

The policy was launched on Tuesday in Abuja at an event that brought together senior government officials, security sector leaders, development partners and civil society organisations.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, described inclusivity as a critical pillar for building a credible and effective security institution. He said the new policy reflects the Corps’ determination to align its operations with global standards while supporting national security priorities.

Audi, who represented the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, explained that Gender Policy II is designed to strengthen the Corps’ institutional capacity, enhance operational performance and ensure that personnel carry out their duties with professionalism, dignity and respect for human rights.

According to him, embedding gender responsiveness in security operations will improve service delivery, promote accountability and foster public trust, particularly among vulnerable and underserved communities.

Participants at the event, which was supported by UKFIDO and SPRING, highlighted the importance of inclusive security frameworks in safeguarding citizens and advancing social justice. Speakers noted that policies which promote equity and participation contribute significantly to effective law enforcement and national stability.

The launch of Gender Policy II also reaffirms the NSCDC’s commitment to the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. Observers described the policy as a major milestone in the Corps’ ongoing efforts to institutionalise inclusivity, equity and professionalism across its operations nationwide.

NSCDC Launches Gender Policy II to Deepen Inclusive Security Deliver

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Special Seat Is Democratic: NASS Urged to Pass Bill

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Special Seat Is Democratic: NASS Urged to Pass Bill

Austin Aigbe FSM
Gender Rights Advocate

In the aftermath of Nigeria’s 2019 general elections, I sat with a heavy heart and a clear conclusion: affirmative action legislation is essential to address the stark underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political leadership. Despite women making up nearly half of Nigeria’s population, they occupy less than 5 per cent of seats in the National Assembly, underscoring a civic duty to effect change.

As the then Secretary of the National Coalition of Affirmative Action (NCAA) in my state, I worked alongside visionary women such as the late Oby Nwankwo, who helped lead the national gender equality architecture, as well as Hajia Saudatu Mandi and Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, among others. Together, we pushed for the full domestication of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), culminating in the proposed Gender and Equal Opportunity (GEO) Bill. Yet, since 2007, that bill has languished in the National Assembly, stalled by political resistance and cultural pushback.

Now, the Special Seats Bill offers a breakthrough. It is not a compromise—it is a resolution. It responds to criticisms of the GEO Bill by focusing on representation rather than just rights. It proposes additional seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly, to be contested exclusively by women, without reducing existing seats or threatening incumbents. It is a democratic innovation, not a disruption.

Why Special Seats Matter

The argument is simple: democracy must reflect the people. If half of the population is excluded from decision-making, democracy remains incomplete. Special seats are not about tokenism; they are about correcting structural imbalances. Sierra Leone, for example, passed the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act in 2022, addressing gender gaps by increasing women’s representation in decision-making, improving access to finance and employment, and promoting equal opportunities in education and training. Other countries, including Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa, have used constitutional and legislative measures to advance gender parity. Nigeria should no longer lag.

The Special Seats Bill also directly addresses the barriers women face when contesting elections:

Violence and intimidation, particularly during party primaries.
The monetisation of politics disadvantages women with fewer financial resources.
Patriarchal party structures that sideline women during candidate selection.
By creating a guaranteed pathway, the bill enables women to enter the political space, build experience, and eventually compete for general seats on a more equal footing.

The Human Cost of Delay

Every election cycle without reform is a missed opportunity. In 2023, only 3.6 per cent of those elected to the National Assembly were women; it is not merely a statistic; it represents hundreds of capable women denied a voice. It reflects the silencing of perspectives on maternal health, education, gender-based violence, and economic inclusion.

I have previously supported interventions aimed at strengthening the capacity of women candidates—many of whom were more qualified than their male opponents but were pushed aside by party gatekeepers. I have seen communities rally behind women leaders, only to be told they are “not electable.” The Special Seats Bill is a lifeline for these women—and for the communities they seek to represent.

A Call to the National Assembly

The National Assembly has a patriotic duty to pass this bill now, as it directly impacts Nigeria’s democratic future and inclusivity.

Nigeria’s lawmakers must rise above partisan interests and act in the national interest. The bill has reached its final stage of legislative consideration. The time to act is now—before the 2027 elections are upon us.

Conclusion: Democracy Is Representation

The Special Seats Bill is a vital democratic correction that ensures equal participation and opportunity, enabling meaningful change.

Let us not wait another decade. Let us not mourn another election cycle defined by exclusion. Let us pass the Special Seats Bill—and finally make democracy whole.

Special Seat Is Democratic: NASS Urged to Pass Bill

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