News
NAPTIP: 1.6 million Nigerians living in modern slavery

NAPTIP: 1.6 million Nigerians living in modern slavery
By: Michael Mike
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has lamented that 1.6 million Nigerians out of the total number of 50 million people worldwide are living in modern slavery.
Addressing a press conference on activities lined up to celebrate the 20 years of establishment of NAPTIP and this year’s World Day Against Human Trafficking, the Director General of the agency, Prof. Fatima Waziri Azi, said the 2023 global slavery index, which estimated has shown that 50 million individuals are living in modern slavery, with at least 1.6 million Nigerians affected.
She said: “For anyone that have followed the NAPTIP story since inception has visibly seen the agency progressed from its very first command in Benin-Edo State to offices in 32 States, the last 7 offices acquired in the past year and a half.
“In 20 years, we have seen the crime of human trafficking spread like wildfire in terms of the enormity, trends and patterns. It has not been an easy fight to dismantle these networks, but we remain undaunted.
“Only recently did the 2023 Global Slavery Index opine that globally, it is estimated that 50 million people were living in modern slavery on any day in 3021, an increase of 10 million people since 2016. What this narrative indicates is the urgent need for a more strategic and deliberate global response to these problems.”
She however said “Nigeria is better poised to control and tackled human trafficking due to the collaborative efforts of everyone,” insisting that: “The public is better informed about issues of human trafficking, and this is due to the amplified visibility of NAPTIP.”
She said: “Nigerians have become their brother’s keeper, looking out for one another and this has increased reportage of issues of human trafficking and violence against persons (domestic and sexual violence).
Also speaking at the briefing, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo who was represented the Director Humanitarian Affairs, Grema Ali highlighted some of the notable achievements of the agency to include awareness campaigns and sensitization strategically designed to educate people about human trafficking, associating violence, and what drives it, especially at the sub-national levels through- community-centered awareness creation in partnership with traditional, religious and community leaders; survivor’s advocacy campaigns; school campaigns as well as digital and traditional media campaigns.
Also part of the achievements, according to him, include the establishment of secondary school vanguards, rolling out the Trafficking in persons curricula in schools nationwide, Inclusion of Trafficking in Persons issues into the Minimum Standards of Colleges of Education in collaboration with the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), the establishment of a 24/7 Call Centre and Launch of the ‘627’ short code, are all mechanisms that the Agency has put in place to stem the tide of this heinous crime.
The Permanent Secretary also said other milestones of the agency include: 14,813 cases reported; 10,005 suspected traffickers arrested; 623 Convictions (80 convictions in 2022 and 47 in 2023 for now, including the recent extradition of a high-profile human trafficker to Italy to serve her 13 years jail term); 260 ongoing cases in various courts across the country; the rescue of close to 22,000 victims of human trafficking.
He said: “Knowing that issues of human trafficking happen mostly at the sub-national level, NAPTIP has inaugurated the Task Force against Human Trafficking in 22 states. These task forces have over the years amplified the fight against human trafficking and enhanced collaboration with NAPTIP at the state level.
“Other recent and exciting collaborations NAPTIP has forged is the strategic partnership with Meta (owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) and with the US. National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). These partnerships have further enhanced the capacity of NAPTIP to tackle issues of online child exploitation, child sexual assault materials and sextortion including the launch of the amber alert on Facebook and Instagram in September 2022, placing Nigeria as the second country in Africa and the 29th in the world with an amber alert on Facebook and Instagram programme.”
NAPTIP: 1.6 million Nigerians living in modern slavery
News
Nine passengers perish in Ghastly vehicular crash on Maiduguri Damaturu road

Nine passengers perish in Ghastly vehicular crash on Maiduguri Damaturu road
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Nine passengers have died on the spot after their vehicle a Borno Express commercial bus heading to Maiduguri crossed its lane recently to collide with an on coming heavy duty vehicle headed for Damaturu.
The devastating crash occurred at Auno community area on Friday, at about 1530 hrs said the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) Commander Usman Mohammed.
The Sector Commander told this reporter that while eight of the commuters died on the spot, one died in the specialist hospital obviously after profuse bleeding making the total casualties to be nine which is the highest figure for this year in Borno state.
“The breakdown of the crash was the loss of Five adult Males, one adult female,, Two boys and One girl child not beyond the age of about 10.” Said the commander.
The sector commander noted that out of the total number of passengers in the hummer bus, seven others sustained various injuries and were rushed to the Maiduguri specialist hospital for treatment.
“The crash involved two vehicles a Toyota Hummer bus belonging to Borno Express carrying loads of papers possibly for a non governmental organization from Kaduna and a commercial Trailer heading towards Yobe.
“The hummer bus had stopped at Potiskum to drop some passengers he had from Kaduna and took another set for Maiduguri which was his ultimate destination with the cargo.
” The obvious cause of the crash is attributed to over speeding which resulted into loss of control which took him to the wrong lane.
” Sadly, you know that Auno is a dangerous zone on that route which is why many commuters refused to stop on the way to help them even after eight passengers died on the spot while the ninth one perished in the maiduguri Specialist hospital.
“This is the worse crash we have had this year unlike what we had early this year at Beneshek in which four people lost their lives on the spot.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the deceased. The motoring public are urged to exercise caution on the road while traveling.” Said commander Musa Adamu.
Nine passengers perish in Ghastly vehicular crash on Maiduguri Damaturu road
News
Flash Flooding: Betara Clears Drainages, Gives Relief Materials in Biu

Flash Flooding: Betara Clears Drainages, Gives Relief Materials in Biu
By: Michael Mike
Member representing Biu, Kwaya Kusar, Bayo, and Shani federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu has swiftly responded to the devastating flood in his constituency by mobilizing emergency relief efforts to repair damaged areas and provide support to affected residents.
After a sudden flash flood that has hit several wards in Biu local government area, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure, the lawmaker mobilized people to clear the drainage to forestall future reoccurrence.


He equally dispatched truckloads of relief materials to be shared to people affected by the flood.
The flood which was triggered by heavy rainfall recently, making overflowed bridges and inundated homes in various parts of the Biu.
According to recent of Biu town, Dauda Yusuf: “Rt. Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu, the federal lawmaker representing Biu, Kwaya Kusar, Bayo, and Shani federal constituency in his usual manner has swiftly responded to the disaster that ravaged parts of Biu.
“He mobilized emergency relief efforts to repair damaged areas and provide support to affected residents.

“We could not have asked for better representative, Betara has always been supportive in all situations, in times of troubles just like this present flood and in times of celebration during Ramadans and many Sallahs, he always found something to give.”
A statement from Betara Youth Team (BYT) at the weekend, read that: “The feedback from the community resident was inspiring, and it is clear that this intervention will have a lasting impact on the lives of those who live there.
“Rt. Hon Muktar Betara Aliyu is committed to continuing to bring the benefits of democracy to his people and he will continue to work tirelessly to improve their lives.”
End
News
Troops repel attempted terrorist infiltration in Monguno, recover arms and supplies

Troops repel attempted terrorist infiltration in Monguno, recover arms and supplies
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3, Operation Hadin Kai, have repelled an attempted infiltration by terrorists into Monguno town through the Charlie 15 axis in Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama on Sunday that the attempted attack occurred at about 0255 hours on Sunday but was swiftly repelled by alert troops who engaged the insurgents in a firefight.
The source said that during pursuit, the troops observed blood stains along the withdrawal route of the fleeing terrorists, suggesting that some of them may have sustained injuries.
Items recovered from the scene included seven rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one PKT machine gun belt, an empty AK-47 rifle magazine, an RPG bomb, spaghetti, and a pair of slippers.
There was no casualty on the side of the troops, and there was no further contact with the terrorists as they retreated into the bush.
Troops repel attempted terrorist infiltration in Monguno, recover arms and supplies
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