Mr Famakin Joseph, Lagos Zonal Commander, National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic In Persons and Other Related Matters, on Friday said it rescued 245 victims in 2014 as against 314 in 2013.
Joseph told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the reduction in the number of cases was as a result of reduction in the practice due to increased sensitisation by the agency.
He also said that the total number of cases investigated in the 2014 was 168 and that there were still cases in the courts.
“The number of victims rescued in 2013 was 314, while in 2014 we rescued 254.
“We have 226 females, 16 males and 12 babies and minors, but in 2013 we had only males and females, no minors at all.
“The total number of cases were 168 of which 43 are presently in courts and some are still under investigation,’’ the zonal commander said.
Joseph noted that there had been convictions of human traffickers.
“As at the last day of December, we have recorded eight convictions of human traffickers.
“In all the states under our zone – Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti — the highest number of cases is 96, while the lowest has 21,’’ he said.
On ways to mitigate the situation, Joseph said that the agency was working on how to sensitise the people more on collaboration with other stakeholders.
He said the fight to curb trafficking in persons should not be left for the Federal Government alone but that the states, local government councils and other organisations should be involved.
“NAPTIP is trying to do its best against human trafficking, improve our fight in all areas, including sensitisation and prosecution of offenders.
“We need to make people understand the dangers in human trafficking and expose them to the unbelievable stories told by the traffickers.
“Most of times their victims are from the villages; that is why we want to involve everybody and all arms of government,’’ the zonal commander told NAN.
Joseph disclosed that the agency is partnering with other law enforcement agencies and embassies in Nigeria in the training of its personnel on how to identify human traffickers.
“We are also collaborating with some countries in the African region to curb the menace of human trafficking.
“Now at the embassies, they are becoming stricter and are asking more questions before issuing visas to travellers.
“At all borders, we have the Nigeria Immigration Service, so, we are collaborating with them on how to identify traffickers, rescue the victims and transfer them to the agency,’’ he said.
