The Kano State Zonal Command of the National Agency for the prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other Related Matters on Sunday said it had rescued no fewer than 50 victims of human trafficking within two months.
The NAPTIP Zonal Commander, Shehu Umar, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano that the victims were rescued from February to date.
Umar said the victims, who comprised males and females, had since been reunited with their respective families.
He disclosed that the command had recorded 23 cases of trafficking, child labour, sexual exploitation and other related cases within the period under review.
He said out of the cases, 11 female suspects were involved while the remaining suspects were males.
Umar said: “The cases have been investigated and one was on sexual abuse, two on child labour, one on abduction and another one on stolen baby.
“Among the cases, some do not fall within our jurisdiction, so were transferred them to police for proper prosecution.”
Umar said the command had within the period secured two convictions at the Federal High Court, Kano, pointing out that the remaining cases were still pending in the court.
He called on the Federal Government to come to the aid of the agency by allocating more funds to enable it carry out its activities effectively.
He said: “Our activities require a lot of funding if we are to carry out investigation, rescued victims have to be transported to their states and some times we have to take care of them.
“We also conduct counselling exercise for the rescued victims, identify their needs and even rehabilitate them.”
Umar called on the people, particularly parents, to support the agency in the fight against human trafficking and other related offences.
NAN
