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FG Remained Committed to Scaling Up Social Investment Programmes- Fagbemi
FG Remained Committed to Scaling Up Social Investment Programmes- Fagbemi
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to scaling social investment programmes to provide livelihood support to Nigerians in order to immunized them from being vulnerable to human trafficking.
The plan was disclosed on Monday in Abuja by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi at the Opening of the 26th National Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Human Trafficking.
He said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led government recognizes that addressing poverty and underdevelopment is crucial in preventing human trafficking. Investing in people, especially young people and the disadvantaged, reduces the desperation that drives individuals into exploitation abroad.”
He added that: “The government remains committed to scaling social investment programs to provide livelihood support, deterring potential victims from falling prey to traffickers.
He noted that: “The National Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Human Trafficking, instituted by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), serves as a vital strategic coordination body. It facilitates dialogue and collaboration among relevant stakeholders at both the federal and sub-national levels, enabling the initiation of plans, review of strategies, and sharing of information on different approaches to combating Trafficking in Persons in Nigeria.”
He said: “Human trafficking preys on the most vulnerable members of our society and demands a holistic and concerted response from all sectors. The complexity of counter-human trafficking efforts in Nigeria lies in the intricacies of our social fabric and the trans-national nature of the crime.
“Traffickers exploit the vulnerabilities of people, leveraging poverty, lack of education, and unemployment to ensnare their victims with promises of a better life. The porous nature of our borders and the sophisticated networks of these criminals further compound the challenge of combatting this menace.”
Fagbemi lamented that: “Nigeria, with her rich cultures and peoples, unfortunately serves as a source, transit and destination country for victims of human trafficking. This menace has occasioned great damage to the reputation or profiling of Nigeria in the international community. The statistics paint a grim picture, but behind each number lies the stories of those whose freedom and dignity have been truncated. Yet, amidst these challenges, hope remains, and we must reverse this ugly trend.”
He however said: “We must acknowledge the outstanding efforts of Nigeria in operating a unique counter-trafficking model emulated by other African countries. Nigeria has demonstrated its commitments through not only in high number of convictions but also with the successful rescue and rehabilitation of thousands of victims alongside strategic preventive measures.”
He admitted that the fight against human trafficking cannot be shouldered by a single agency or arm of government, stating that it demands a collective effort involving civil society, the private sector, international organisations, communities, and the people.
He said: “I therefore call upon everyone to join hands in this critical fight. This global threat, therefore, requires a coordinated and meaningful response at all levels. Which is why cooperation, communication and information sharing, with our international partners are also key in determining the pace and effectiveness in the delivery of anti-human trafficking responses.”
The Justice Minister said: “I am aware that the National Action Plan on Human Trafficking in Nigeria (2022-2026) outlines the roles of all actors. I urge everyone to not only study the document with specific interest in the thematic areas that fall within their respective mandates, but to ensure effective implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
“Furthermore, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration and the Presidential Priorities as it relates with the mandate of NAPTIP, I implore all stakeholders to work in unison to meet these priorities. On the part of the Federal Ministry of Justice as NAPTIP’s supervising ministry, we will continue to support this critical agency in fulfilling its robust mandate,” he assured.
Earlier, the Director General of NAPTIP, Prof. Prof Fatima Waziri – Azi, in her welcome remarks, said since the last meeting in April 2022, a lot have been achieved in the fight against human trafficking in the country, she stated that:
“We have not merely inched forward; we have surged ahead with resolve. 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. Due to these collaborative efforts, we had a number of firsts in 2023.”
Waziri-Azi who highlighted the numerous firsts the agency was able to achieve in 2023, also said: “We received and investigated 968 human trafficking complaints. 507 (68.1) internal trafficking complaints and 303 (31.9) external trafficking complaints
“In terms of prosecution, 86 cases were charged to court and 67 convictions were secured.
“We rescued, received and supported 2112 victims (473 Males and 1,639 Females). Females constituted 77.6% of the total victims out of which 43,4% were children.
“Benue State had the highest number of indigenes rescued in 2023 followed by Edo, Ondo, and Akwa Ibom state.
“Rescued and received 47 victims of inward trafficking mostly from west African countries
“We have already secured 14 convictions in 2024 and counting with 243 cases pending before various courts across the country.”
She said the agency has identified emerging trends and patterns in human trafficking for 2023 and already in 2024, “we are seeing incremental cases of trafficking to Vietnam for labor exploitation.”
The DG said: “We remain grateful to the Swiss and Dutch governments through UNODC for making this 2-day event possible. I also thank and acknowledge our other partners; ICMPD, Expertise France, IOM, and OHCRH who will be moderating sessions during these 2 day programme.”
FG Remained Committed to Scaling Up Social Investment Programmes- Fagbemi
News
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi at Kafur, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have raided a suspected drug peddlers’ hideout in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 12:30 p.m. on May 12, 2026, at Huguma village following intelligence on illicit drug activities within the area.
During the raid, troops apprehended one suspect identified as a major supplier of illicit drugs and other substances to terrorists and criminal elements operating within Kafur Local Government Area and surrounding communities.
Items recovered during the operation included 146 grams of suspected cannabis and 16.5 grams of a substance identified as Exol-5.
The suspect and the recovered drugs have since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
News
Troops Recover 13 Sheep in Mangu, as Attacked Herdsman go Missing
Troops Recover 13 Sheep in Mangu, as Attacked Herdsman go Missing
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 8, Operation Safe Haven (OPEP), have recovered 13 sheep in Sabon Gari village in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State following a suspected attack on a herder who was either killed or just vanished.
Sources said that the troops responded to the incident at about 6:30 p.m. on May 12, 2026, after receiving information that strayed livestock were discovered in the community without the owner.
On arrival at the scene, the troops reportedly found 13 sheep grazing without any herder in sight. The animals were subsequently taken into custody by the troops for further action and documentation.

Security sources said the absence of the herder raised concerns about his possible safety and whereabouts. Sources maintained that the disappearance of the harder raised suspicions that he may have been eliminated by assailants in the community.
Preliminary assessment of the situation has prompted security considerations within the area, as incidents involving farmer–herder misunderstandings and livestock encroachment have continued to be recorded in parts of Plateau State.
Authorities are expected to carry out further inquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and to determine the appropriate disposition of the recovered livestock.
Troops Recover 13 Sheep in Mangu, as Attacked Herdsman go Missing
News
“It Is Obvious the Video Is Fake” Gov. Mutfwang Dismisses Viral Plateau Burial Attack Video as Fake, Warns Against Rumour-Mongering
“It Is Obvious the Video Is Fake” Gov. Mutfwang Dismisses Viral Plateau Burial Attack Video as Fake, Warns Against Rumour-Mongering
By Zagazola Makama
Governor Caleb Mutfwang has dismissed the viral video circulated by Plateau- based activist Masara Kim Usman alleging a “jihadist attack” during a burial ceremony in Barkin Ladi, describing the footage as fake and deliberately designed to cause panic.
The governor made the remarks during a recent Security Council meeting while addressing the growing security issues and the spread of unverified security reports and sensational narratives on social media concerning the security situation in Plateau State.
“It is obvious that the video is fake,” Mutfwang said while reacting to the controversial footage that had been widely circulated online and featured in international interviews.
The video had claimed that armed Fulani attackers stormed a burial ground during funeral rites, allegedly opening fire on mourners from surrounding hills with sophisticated weapons.
However, The Nigerian Police Force who provided security at the scene of the burial and other relevant security agencies in the state found no confirmed casualty, injury or medical record linked to the alleged attack.
The governor’s comments came barely two days after he cautioned social media activists, media, bloggers and online champions against spreading rumours and unverified reports capable of inflaming tensions and damaging the image of the state.
“We are not saying that every incident should be swept under the carpet. We keep accurate data of all accounts of incidents,” the governor said.
“We are not saying that there is no attacks but many of you that are in the hurry to put it on social media, you are destroying the state.”
He warned that the reckless dissemination of rumours and unverified information could endanger lives and worsen the fragile security atmosphere in affected communities.
“And sometimes you put on social media what you heard as a rumour. You dont know the lives you put in danger sometimes with what you put on social media. We need to be careful,” he added.
Mutfwang further alleged that there were deliberate efforts by certain actors to portray Plateau negatively before the international community through exaggerated and misleading narratives.
“There is a deliberate plan to demarket Plateau State and to tell the world that Plateau state is not anywhere that anyone should visit,” the governor said.
“But let me reassure Nigerians and the world that Plateau State remain the home of peace and tourism nobody will take that from us.”said the Governor.
According to the activist’s dramatic narration, heavily armed “Fulani jihadists” surrounded a burial ground, opened fire from nearby hills with sophisticated rifles and sniper weapons, and forced terrified mourners to flee while abandoning corpses in shallow graves.
The scene was presented to international audiences as evidence of an ongoing Islamic terrorist extermination campaign against Christians in Plateau State and Nigeria.
Yet after all the cinematic shouting, breathless commentary and social media outrage, one stubborn problem refused to disappear:
Nobody died, nobody was injured, no hospital treated victims, no corpse emerged from the supposed attack, no security report confirmed casualties, no family identified anybody allegedly shot during the incident. Which raises a very uncomfortable question for the propagandists:
What exactly were the “snipers” shooting at?
Because for an alleged coordinated jihadist ambush involving sophisticated weapons against a crowded funeral gathering, the complete absence of casualties is not merely suspicious, it is devastating to the credibility of the entire narrative.
Even more remarkable was the extraordinary professionalism displayed by the supposed victim while “escaping.” Apparently, modern sniper attacks now allow enough time for stable camera angles, American accents and commentary while maintaining uninterrupted narration and carefully managed video framing.
At different points, the narrator claimed he ran two kilometres. Later, it became five kilometres. He was we was in the middle of God knows where when houses were clearly seeing behind him.
Yet somehow throughout the entire footage, there was no exhaustion, no panic, no disorientation, no visible trauma and not even the shaky breathing expected from somebody allegedly escaping death under sustained gunfire. He even took his time to mount his microphone to avoid background noises.
One almost expected background music and movie credits to appear. But perhaps the most embarrassing part of the production was hidden in plain sight inside the video itself.
While viewers were being told that heavily armed jihadists were actively attacking mourners, some women in the background were calmly walking around without panic. Others appeared unconcerned while some youths suddenly being prompted to run during portions of the recording.
Ironically, the only visible armed individuals in sections of the footage were local armed Berom youths. That small detail completely shattered the carefully packaged “helpless civilians under jihadist siege” narrative being exported to foreign audiences.
Governor Mutfwang’s intervention therefore matters because it represents something increasingly rare in today’s toxic information environment: An admission that propaganda itself has become part of Plateau’s security problem.
The Plateau crisis is already painful enough without staged documentaries pretending to be genocide evidence.
If peace is ever to return fully to Plateau, it will require honesty from all sides not scripted panic, selective outrage and propaganda disguised as activism.
Because eventually, reality catches up. And when even the governor says, “It is obvious that the video is fake,” the performance begins to collapse under its own weight.
“It Is Obvious the Video Is Fake” Gov. Mutfwang Dismisses Viral Plateau Burial Attack Video as Fake, Warns Against Rumour-Mongering
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