News
Women Affairs Ministry, NAPTIP Conclude Plans on Rehabilitation of Victims of Human Trafficking
Women Affairs Ministry, NAPTIP Conclude Plans on Rehabilitation of Victims of Human Trafficking
By: Michael Mike
The Ministry of Women Affairs has concluded plans to partner with the
National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for the long-term rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking.
Specifically, the Ministry and NAPTIP are to jointly rehabilitate the 10 Nigerian girls, victims of human trafficking who were recently rescued in Ghana.
This partnership was one of the outcomes of the visit of the Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, to the Headquarters of NAPTIP on Monday, a visit which followed viral reports of the trafficking of some Nigerian girls to Ghana for sexual exploitation.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the Director General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri – Azi, thanked the Minister for the visit and hersupport towards sustained fight against human trafficking, adding that the agency has been very proactive, strategic, and deliberate in carrying out its mandates which led to the conviction of 29 human traffickers from January 2024 till date, 67 traffickers in 2023, 80 in 2022 and a total of 670 human trafficking convictions since the inception of the agency including the rescue of over 23,000 victims.
Waziri–Azi added that: “Even though the Government has a major role in tackling human trafficking, communities and families have an even greater role in tackling these issues. Regarding the girls in Ghana, we are in touch with the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Unit. The girls have been rescued and are safe. The perpetrator has been arrested, and I am also in contact with Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM). I am very delighted by the Honourable Minister’s visit this morning.
“From our conversation, we will definitely approach this issue in a more strategic way, in terms of prevention. Prevention is better than cure.”
She also added that: “I also want to emphasize to parents and young people that there is no free lunch anywhere; if it is free, then you are definitely the product. We know that everyone desires a better life, but wanting a better life does not mean you should not be discerning. When somebody comes and offers you Eldorado, please ask questions.”
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, on her part, commended NAPTIP for its visible impact in tackling human trafficking in Nigeria and promised to join hands with the agency for sustained rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking through the existing empowerment scheme that has been established by the Ministry.
The Minster said: “I came here to see my sister concerning the issue of the Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana. We will join hands with NAPTIP to empower them, give them skills or send them to school”.
The Minister also disclosed plans to embark on massive advocacy among diverse stakeholders including operators of commercial transport companies, the Aviation Sector, the Marine Sector,and a cross-section of parents across the country adding that parents and transport operators will be held responsible if found culpable in the trafficking of children.
She however solicited for the support and cooperation of all Nigerians to tackle the issues of human trafficking in the country.
Women Affairs Ministry, NAPTIP Conclude Plans on Rehabilitation of Victims of Human Trafficking
Fourteen Abducted Victims Released in Maru, Zamfara State; Two Killed in Captivity
By: Zagazola Makama
Fourteen victims abducted in December 2025, including six family members of Inspector Hussaini Abubakar of Maru Police Division, have been released by their captors.
Zagazola reliably gathered that the release occurred at about 1:00 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2026. Unfortunately, two of the victims, identified as Bashir Marafa, aged 45, and Halliru Kabiru, aged 50, were killed while in captivity.
Sources added that a pregnant woman among the abductees delivered a baby girl while in captivity. The victims are currently receiving medical attention at the General Hospital, Maru.
Fourteen Abducted Victims Released in Maru, Zamfara State; Two Killed in Captivity
Two Abducted Victims Rescued in Tsafe, Zamfara; One Killed in Bandit Attack at Talata Mafara
By: Zagazola Makama
Two persons abducted earlier this month in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been rescued, while a separate bandit attack in Talata Mafara LGA left one person dead and others missing.
Sources confirmed that Bashir Adamu Iyatawa, 42, and Kenneth Allahmagani, 35, both from Zaria City, Kaduna State, were abducted at Unguwar Chida Village in Tsafe on Feb. 16, 2026.
They were rescued on Feb. 26, debriefed, and later taken to a hospital for medical attention before being handed over to their relatives.
In a separate incident, armed bandits loyal to a local bandit leader, Na Sanda, attacked the outskirts of Jangebe town in Talata Mafara LGA on Feb. 27 at about 2:00 a.m.
The attack resulted in the death of Misbawu Aminu, 30, and the abduction of an unspecified number of persons to an undisclosed location.
Joint troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and local vigilante groups are reported to be pursuing the fleeing bandits. Authorities have assured that efforts to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the culprits are ongoing.
Two Abducted Victims Rescued in Tsafe, Zamfara; One Killed in Bandit Attack at Talata Mafara
Boko Haram Attack on CJTF Leaves One Dead in Gwoza, Borno state
By: Zagazola Makama
One member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) was killed following an ambush by suspected ISWAP terrorists along the Warave–Gwoza Road in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources said the incident occurred on February 25 at about 7:30 a.m. when gunmen attacked members of the CJTF and hunters on routine patrol. Fifty-year-old Bello Adamu, a member of the CJTF, was fatally injured in the attack.
Army troops of Operation HADIN KAI, Police Tactical Units, and CJTF personnel visited the scene, documented the incident, and evacuated the victim to Gwoza General Hospital, where he was certified dead on arrival. His body was released to his family for burial according to Islamic rites.
Monitoring of the area continues to prevent further attacks.
Boko Haram Attack on CJTF Leaves One Dead in Gwoza, Borno state
Fourteen Abducted Victims Released in Maru, Zamfara State; Two Killed in Captivity
Two Abducted Victims Rescued in Tsafe, Zamfara; One Killed in Bandit Attack at Talata Mafara
Boko Haram Attack on CJTF Leaves One Dead in Gwoza, Borno state
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