NAPTIP convicts 38 sexual offenders in A/Ibom

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has convicted 38 sexual offenders in Akwa Ibom since November 2019.

The Director General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, said on Tuesday in Uyo that 143 cases of trafficking were reported within the period.

She added that about 442 traffickers had been convicted and were serving various jail terms, while almost 17, 000 victims had been rescued.

Speaking during the training of stakeholders and members of the state task force on human trafficking from South-South, South East and South West, Okah-Donli noted that the training would build capacity for its members to sharpen their professional skills to effectively curb human trafficking.

She explained that NAPTIP was determined to end human trafficking in the country, adding that the agency would continue to engage various stakeholders to achieve its objective.

“Ladies and gentlemen, you may recall that NAPTIP launched the Nigeria Sexual Offenders Register in November 2019. As of last week, a total of 38 convicted persons have been documented in the register, with 143 cases reported and 107 fingerprints digitally captured.

“NAPTIP relies on the support of all men and women of goodwill to continue to achieve its mandate.

“To date, about 442 traffickers have been convicted and are serving various jail terms, and almost 17, 000 victims have been rescued and counselled with a good number of them empowered by the agency.

“I wish to reiterate that our resolve to end human trafficking in Nigeria is firm and we shall continue to engage with various actors across the board to achieve this,” she stated.