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UNODC: Human Trafficking, Assault on Human Dignity Not Just A Crime

UNODC: Human Trafficking, Assault on Human Dignity Not Just A Crime
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has described human trafficking as an assault on human dignity not just a crime.
Speaking at the 27th National Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum (NSCF) on Human Trafficking organised by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Wednesday in Abuja, the Country Representative of the UNODC in Nigeria, Cheikh Toure, while lauding Nigeria’s fight against Human trafficking, said: “Human trafficking isn’t just a crime, it’s an assault on dignity, a drag on development, and a threat to national security.”
Toure added that: “This forum remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s national response to trafficking. It’s where policy meets practice, federal and state actors converging around a shared vision of a trafficking-free Nigeria.”
He noted that “the importance of a multisectoral, victim-focused, and relentless response,” while acknowledging the joint efforts of NAPTIP and UNODC under the “From Policy to Action” project, supported by the Swiss government.
He also lauded the DG of NAPTIP for her leadership role and also commended contributions from the Attorney General, of the federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), state governments, development partners including the European Union (EU), France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS), the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD, and various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the war against human trafficking.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who gave the keynote address, called on state’s Commissioners for Women Affairs to leverage on their strategic positions to advocate and influence state budgets and policies.
He said: “I urge Commissioners for Women Affairs across the country to leverage their strategic positions to advocate and influence state-level policies, budgets, and programmes that directly or indirectly impact trafficking and exploitation.
“Creation of a budget line for State Task Force activities is highly recommended as it would also guarantee the institutionalization of State Task Forces on human Trafficking in the states.”
In his words “The Federal Ministry of Justice remains committed to supporting NAPTIP through continuous policy formulation, legal reforms, strategic coordination, and high-level advocacy. Let me assure you that we will continue to work closely with NAPTIP and other partners to ensure that the legal and institutional frameworks for tackling trafficking remain dynamic, responsive, and effective.
The Swiss Ambassador to Belgium and NATO, Jacques Pitteloud, in his goodwill message also lauded Nigeria’s progress and reaffirmed Switzerland’s long-term support.
He called for international cooperation in addressing root causes of trafficking and commended NAPTIP’s efforts under the “From Policy to Action” project.
“Our partnership with Nigeria goes beyond financial contribution. It is built on trust, shared priorities, and joint ownership. We’re especially encouraged by the involvement of local governments, signaling a grassroots approach to combating trafficking,” Pitteloud said.
He also noted the development of a new dashboard and reporting hub, as well as the inclusion of critical actors like the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the national response.
Speaking earlier, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello, in her welcome address highlighted key achievements under the agency’s 5Ps strategy: Policy, Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnership.
She noted that over 7,000 victims have been rescued between 2022 and 2024, with 205 convictions secured within the same period.
She also announced the development of new digital tools to enhance data reporting, increased public awareness campaigns, the inauguration of over 200 Anti-TIP school vanguards, and the expansion of State Task Forces to 24 states.
“We are proud of the milestones achieved, from setting up the Human Trafficking Digital Centre in Katsina to revamping our training center with German support. Yet, the road ahead requires deeper collaboration and renewed commitment at all levels,” Bello said.
UNODC: Human Trafficking, Assault on Human Dignity Not Just A Crime
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Army Troops foil another bandit attack in Karim Lamido, Taraba

Army Troops foil another bandit attack in Karim Lamido, Taraba
By: Zagazola Makama
The Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have foiled a bandit attack in Jen village, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops, responded to a distress call at about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, prompting a swift deployment to the area.
On sighting the advancing troops, the suspected bandits fled the scene. The soldiers pursued and successfully crossed a nearby river to clear the bandits’ suspected avenue of approach on the opposite side.
The general security situation in the area is calm and stable as troops have intensified dominance within the general area.
Army Troops foil another bandit attack in Karim Lamido, Taraba
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Troops sustain security operations in Taraba amid rising tension, population returns

Troops sustain security operations in Taraba amid rising tension, population returns
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army has intensified security operations across parts of Taraba State under Operation LAFIYA JAMAA to restore civil authority and ensure the return of displaced persons to conflict-affected communities.
Zagazola Makama report that the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), and the police troops have carried out multiple patrols, escort missions, and security operations between May 24 and 25, covering sensitive areas in Karim Lamido, Zing, and Jalingo LGAs.
Troops on escort duty provided security cover for a humanitarian team from the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (TSEMA), led by Mrs Echuseh, as they delivered cash and relief materials to displaced residents in Bandawa, Karim, and Bambuka communities, severely affected by recent communal conflict.

The successful escort mission ensured that vulnerable populations in the area accessed critical relief support without incident, reinforcing military-civilian cooperation and the Army’s stabilisation efforts.
In a separate confidence-building effort, troops deployed to Munga Lelau, Bunkachi, and Gwamu villages observed that locals who had earlier fled due to insecurity had started returning to their homes. The presence of security forces has helped restore a sense of safety and rekindle hope among the traumatized residents.
Similarly, troops in Kambari village, Karim Lamido LGA, embarked on a patrol of the outskirts of the town to deny criminal elements freedom of action. No hostile contact was made, and the patrol concluded without incident.
In Zing LGA, another unit from the Battalion conducted an aggressive foot patrol at Monkin village to dislodge potential threats and deter further escalation of violence in the area. The troops returned safely after completing the assignment.
Joint night patrols were also conducted by troops around the Munga Lelau–Bambuka axis and within Kambari town to maintain round-the-clock vigilance and prevent the regrouping of armed groups.
In Jalingo, troops mounted a checkpoint at Kpantinapo community where they conducted a “Stop and Search” operation aimed at intercepting illicit arms, ammunition, and wanted persons. The operation was described as successful and hitch-free.
Meanwhile, in Jeb Jeb village of Karim Lamido LGA, troops initiated a “Block Force” operation along the Amper–Bachubi road to locate and engage suspected hostile elements. While no contact was made during this mission, it point to the security forces aggressive push to deny bandits and militia groups any operational space.
The sources said although, the general security situation within the area remains calm, the sources described the current situation as unpredictable, requiring sustained vigilance.
Troops sustain security operations in Taraba amid rising tension, population returns
News
N6.5 billion Opioids Intercepted by NDLEA at Lagos, Rivers Ports

N6.5 billion Opioids Intercepted by NDLEA at Lagos, Rivers Ports
By: Michael Mike
Opioids worth over N6.5 billion have been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers and the Apapa seaport, Lagos in the course of last week.
According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the opioids with quantities no fewer than six million pills of opioids include tamol 225mg, tapentadol 225mg and carisoprodol 225mg as well as 332,000 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup with street value put at exactly N6,524,000,000.00.

Babafemi revealed that the seizures at the Apapa and Onne ports followed intelligence and tracking of new trafficking routes to ship illicit substances into Nigeria by drug cartels, which necessitated the watch-listing of the containers for 100 percent examination.
He said intercepted consignments at the Port Harcourt ports are six million pills of opioids and 162,000 bottles of codeine syrup uncovered in two containers last Monday and Tuesday during a joint examination of the shipments by NDLEA officers with men of the Nigeria Customs and other security agencies.
At the Apapa port in Lagos, a total of 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup were discovered in a watch-listed container by NDLEA operatives during a similar joint examination exercise last Thursday.

He said two British nationals: Mhizha Tatendra and Ayedipe Adejuwon as well as two Nigerians: Shonowo Imole and Ofuoma Ayobami have been arrested by NDLEA operatives for attempting to smuggle into Nigeria 92 bags of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 51.1 kilogrammes through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
He said Alexander was intercepted with the consignment upon his arrival at the MMIA on a Qatar Airline flight from Doha based on processed intelligence on Thursday 15th May. He was allowed to pass through the security control unhindered and closely monitored by NDLEA operatives to the car park, where the owner of the cargo, Adejuwon, who is a Nigerian British, was waiting in an SUV along with his relation Shonowo Imole and the driver of the vehicle, Ofuoma Ayobami, to receive the courier.
Babafemi said the NDLEA operatives tracking them swooped on them as they attempted to drive out of the airport car park, arresting them with the drug exhibits in the vehicle.
He said in his statement, Alexander confessed he was recruited during his vacation weeks ago while he was promised 1,300 British Pounds after a successful delivery of the consignment in Lagos. The arrowhead of the syndicate, Ayedipe Adejuwon, confessed that he arrived in Nigeria a day earlier from South Africa through Ghana.
The spokesman said a follow-up operation at their apartment in Lekki led to more discoveries. At the point of his arrest, N93,000 and 17,200 South African Rand were recovered from him while a search of his Lekki apartment, led to the seizure of N3,810,500 cash, an Apple laptop, an iPhone 14 Pro Max and four laughing gas (Nitro Oxide) canisters.
In other clampdowns, a total of 75,000 kilogrammes of skunk were destroyed on 30 hectares of cannabis farms by NDLEA operatives at Esuk-Odot village in Odukpani local government area of Cross River state where 200 kilogrammes of same substance was recovered last Wednesday, while 1,957.5 kilogrammes of the same psychoactive plant was destroyed at Ohosu forest, Ovia South West local area and Okhuse community forest, Owan West local government area, Edo State last Friday.
In Nasarawa state, two suspects: Sunday Daniel, 51, and Abu Peter, 30, were arrested at Keffi by NDLEA operatives on Saturday when 4,000 kilogrammes of skunk were discovered concealed under unprocessed wood in their lorry, while another suspect, Godwin Obi, 39, was nabbed at Karu with 154.5 kilogrammes of same substance last Wednesday.
In Kaduna state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kaduna – Zaria expressway at Gwargwaje last Wednesday intercepted 22-year-old Muhammad Hamza with 57,750 pills of tramadol and diazepam, while same day their counterparts in Bauchi arrested Usman Muhammad, 45, along Bauchi-Misau road with 80 blocks of skunk weighing 45 kilogrammes.

Similarly, operatives on stop-and-search operations along Potiskum–Damaturu road, Yobe state intercepted 55 parcels of Colorado, weighing 2 kilogrammes, which a suspect Adum Muhammed, 29, was attempting to smuggle into the Republic of Chad through Gamboru-Ngala border town in Borno State.
In Niger state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Mokwa-Jebba road last Thursday intercepted a Mercedes Benz car marked FST 938 FU loaded with 235 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 97 kilogrammes and arrested a suspect, Adams Ayibakro.
Operatives in Lagos raided the Osapa London area of Lekki where they arrested a suspect Jonathan Isa with different quantities of Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Molly, Rohypnol, Codeine, Cannabis and Nitrous Oxide while another raid at Idasun, Eleko, Ibeju Lekki last Saturday led to the arrest of Olamilekan Idowu and seizure of 48kg skunk.
Meanwhile, the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, social advocacy activities by NDLEA commands equally continued across the country in the past week.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) while commending the officers and men of PHPC, MMIA, Apapa, Nasarawa, Cross River, Edo, Lagos, Niger, Kaduna, Yobe and Bauchi commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for ensuring a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
N6.5 billion Opioids Intercepted by NDLEA at Lagos, Rivers Ports
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