NAPTIP begins investigation of orphanages nationwide for human trafficking

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is currently investigating numerous orphanages across Nigeria for potential involvement in human trafficking, according to its Director-General, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi. She made this announcement during a one-day community dialogue and advocacy event on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) held in the Gwagwalada communities of the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday.

Prof. Waziri-Azi highlighted that several orphanages are under scrutiny for serious violations that fall under the category of human trafficking. She emphasized that NAPTIP is actively prosecuting some of these institutions. She clarified that orphanages do not have the legal authority to finalize child adoptions, which is where NAPTIP’s intervention becomes necessary when trafficking elements are detected.

The NAPTIP chief advised orphanages to operate within the law and urged Nigerians to exercise caution when adopting children from these facilities. She stressed the importance of following legal procedures in the adoption process.

In a separate development, NAPTIP empowered three survivors of human trafficking in Edo State in May. The beneficiaries completed training programs at NAPTIP’s skill acquisition center, as announced by Nduka Nwanwenene, the Commander of NAPTIP’s Zonal office in Benin, during the empowerment event.

Additionally, in April, NAPTIP’s Edo Zonal Command arrested an individual posing as a Reverend Sister for allegedly trafficking 38 children in Delta State.