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NAPTIP Warns Youths Against Antics of Human Traffickers
NAPTIP Warns Youths Against Antics of Human Traffickers
By: Michael Mike
The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi has warned youths nationwide to be wary of the antics of human traffickers who come around them in the clothing of helpers.
She insisted that just like devils in sleep clothing looking for who to devour, human traffickers come around youths disguising as helpers to take advantage of their naivety and sometimes helplessness.
The Director General emphasized that these individuals aim to deceive and derail the future dreams and aspirations of unsuspecting youths.
Waziri-Azi delivered this crucial advice on Monday, during her address to the Management and Students of Government Day Secondary School, Dutse-Alhaji, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in commemoration with the 2023 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.
Her address coincided with the inauguration of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Violence Against Persons Vanguard at the school, marking the 104th Vanguard inaugurated by the agency across the country with support from the Ford Foundation.
Waziri-Azi outlined that one of the primary objectives of the Vanguard is to provide a platform for students to receive education on issues that relate to human trafficking and violence against persons, adding that the intention is to empower students to, in turn, educate others within their school, homes, and communities.
She said: “Education is not just a tool for preventing trafficking; it is a shield that empowers individuals to recognize the signs and protect themselves and others.”
She further highlighted the ongoing initiative of inaugurating Vanguards in secondary schools, emphasizing the responsibility of students as advocates against the crimes of human trafficking and violence against persons, recognizing the red flags for these crimes and knowing the various reporting channels to report issues of human trafficking and violence against persons.
“This is why since last year we have been inaugurating Vanguards in Secondary Schools, a platform for you to sensitize yourself and sensitize others using the whole-of-school and whole-of-family approach. So far, we have inaugurated 103 Vanguards across the country comprising Federal government Unity Schools, Military Schools, Government Schools, Faith-Based Schools and Abuja School for the Deaf” she added.
The Principal of the School, Mr. Emmanuel Balogun Ayodeji, expressed commendation for NAPTIP’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate of providing adequate information and enlightenment for vulnerable groups in society through platforms like school Vanguards. He acknowledged NAPTIP’s deliberate effort to nurture students towards making informed life choices.
The programme also featured a panel discussion on the topic “Investing in the Girl Child, towards a Sustainable Nation.”
NAPTIP Warns Youths Against Antics of Human Traffickers
Security forced arrested three over illegal arms dealings in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Three men have been arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal weapons dealings in Bauchi State, security sources said.
The suspects, identified as Peter Pama and Saleh Monday, both of Iburu, and Sunday Makama of Kasuwan Magani, were apprehended on Feb. 17 following intelligence on illicit arms activities.
Zagazola gathered that one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and one fabricated pump-action gun from the suspects.
Investigations into the case are ongoing as security agencies work to determine the full extent of the arms network.
Security forced arrested three over illegal arms dealings in Bauchi
Joint troops repel bandit attack in Katsina, neutralise two and recover motorcycle
By: Zagazola Makama
Joint troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have repelled an armed bandit attack in Gida Soda Village, Katsina State, neutralising two attackers and recovering a motorcycle, security sources said.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 12:45 a.m. on Feb. 17 when suspected bandits stormed the village. Troops, acting promptly in coordination with local police and Civil Watch Patrol Teams, engaged the attackers in an intense gunfight, forcing the criminals to flee.
During the operation, two of the bandits were neutralised, and a Boxer-brand motorcycle belonging to the group was recovered.
Tragically, one resident, Hassana Muhammad, 30, was reportedly fatally shot during the attack. She was rushed to Dansoda Hospital, where she was pronounced dead by medical personnel.
Sources said efforts to track fleeing bandits and secure the area are ongoing.
Joint troops repel bandit attack in Katsina, neutralise two and recover motorcycle
AACIS’26 Set to Open $40 Trillion Africa-Caribbean Market
By: Michael Mike
The 2026 edition of the Aquarian Consult’s Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit (AACIS’26) will focus on boosting trade, investment, and private sector partnerships between Africa and the Caribbean, targeting a combined market valued at $40 trillion across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas.
The Chief of Staff of Aquarian Consult Ltd, Serumun Ubwa, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja, ahead of the summit scheduled for March 23–28, 2026.
She described AACIS as a strategic platform designed to connect African businesses with Caribbean partners, attract foreign investment, and promote sustainable economic collaboration across key sectors.
Ubwa highlighted that the inaugural AACIS in 2025 achieved landmark outcomes, including the establishment of the first direct flight from Africa to Saint Kitts and Nevis, the signing of Memoranda of Understanding in agriculture and cultural exchange, and a $40 million deep-water port agreement. She said these successes set the stage for the 2026 summit, which will expand opportunities for trade and investment.
She revealed that the 2026 summit will introduce two specialized events: the Afri-Caribbean Agriculture and Food Security Summit (March 23–24) and the Afri-Caribbean Health Summit (March 26), running alongside the main Investment Summit from March 25–28.
“By focusing on agriculture and healthcare, we aim to strengthen regional cooperation, enhance food security, open new export markets for African producers, and support policy frameworks that reduce import dependence in the Caribbean,” Ubwa said.
She added that the summit will feature structured Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) matchmaking sessions, an Investor Deal Room managed by investment promotion agencies, and sector-specific engagements in agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, tourism, digital technology, and the creative economy.
Ubwa added that over 2,000 participants are expected, including current and former heads of government, sovereign wealth funds, multilateral institutions, and private sector leaders. She emphasised that AACIS seeks to strengthen South-South cooperation and increase Africa-Caribbean trade, which currently represents less than one per cent of total trade between the regions.
Interested participants are expected to register for the summit at www.aquarianconsult.com/AACIS.
AACIS’26 Set to Open $40 Trillion Africa-Caribbean Market
Security forced arrested three over illegal arms dealings in Bauchi
Joint troops repel bandit attack in Katsina, neutralise two and recover motorcycle
AACIS’26 Set to Open $40 Trillion Africa-Caribbean Market
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