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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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Kwara Residents Call on the Federal Government to Rescue Residents Captured in Woro as a Video of Abductees Surfaces Online

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Kwara Residents Call on the Federal Government to Rescue Residents Captured in Woro as a Video of Abductees Surfaces Online

By:Bodunrin kayode

There has been urgent calls on the Federal, government with the military might to take swift action to rescue the 176 abducted residents of woro community back to safety away from captivity.

This came about after a disturbing video clip showing captured residents of the recent attack in Woro community, Kaiama council Area of Kwara State, surfaced online.

In the video, several women and young children, including infants, were paraded by the terrorists looking distressed and helpless.

A voice believed to be that of one of the attackers was heard behind the camera speaking in Hausa and questioning the victims about their numbers and were they were captured because they were quite a handful.

During the question and answer session the women and children responded that they were taken from Woro in Kaiama council so that their relations will know they are still alive.

“When asked how many they were, they answered that they were 176 in number. The same question was repeated to another woman in the video to confirm the figure.

” The person behind the camera also claimed that authorities had earlier announced a lower number of victims and said the video was proof of the actual figure.

“The victims were abducted after armed attackers invaded Woro community on February 3, 2025. During the attack, many lives were lost and homes were destroyed.

” The emergence of this video has increased fear and concern among residents and families of the victims.

“The people of the area continue to hope for the safe return of their loved ones and a lasting solution to the security challenges.” Said a source from the state.

Kwara Residents Call on the Federal Government to Rescue Residents Captured in Woro as a Video of Abductees Surfaces Online

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Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger

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Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

Five soldiers were killed and three others declared missing following a clash between Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (FDS) and suspected Islamic State fighters in Sanam, Tillabéri Region of western Niger.

Security sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 12, 2026, during a confrontation between troops and suspected members of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) operating in the area.

The clash reportedly took place in Sanam Zone, a locality near the Niger–Mali border known for recurrent armed attacks by jihadist groups.

According to the sources, the soldiers were engaged in an operation when they came under heavy attack, leading to a standoff. Five personnel were confirmed dead, while three others were declared missing after the encounter.

The Tillabéri Region has remained a hotspot of insurgent activities due to its proximity to Mali and Burkina Faso, with security forces frequently conducting operations to contain armed groups.

Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the latest incident, while search efforts are reportedly ongoing to locate the missing soldiers.

Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger

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Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack

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Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack

By: Zagazola Makama

A Combined Army and Police operatives have rescued 12 kidnapped victims following an armed attack by suspected kidnappers in Oke-Ako area of Ekiti State.

Sources disclosed that the incident occurred on Feb. 13 at about 9:00 a.m., when sporadic gunfire was heard near their base. Preliminary assessment indicated the gunshots were from an assault launched by suspected kidnappers in the area.

Army troops, in collaboration RRS,Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS), and local security outfits, swiftly mobilised to the scene. On sighting the security forces, the attackers engaged in a gun duel, but were overpowered and forced to retreat into the forest, taking two victims with them.

Through intensified operations, the security forces successfully rescued 12 victims unhurt, while one, identified as Jeremiah Gambo, sustained a gunshot injury and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital in Ikole Local Government Area for treatment.

The troops also recovered an unregistered Boxer Bajaj motorcycle, a white Nissan Cabstar pick-up with registration number EJG-96XB, and a wine-coloured Toyota Corolla with registration number KLE-575AE, all belonging to the victims.

Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack

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