NAPTIP DG decries rising cases of rape, killing of victims

THE Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi, has decried the recent escalation of rape cases across the country, calling for stern application and enforcement of the provisions of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act 2015 to stem the ugly tide.

She was particularly worried that some of the rape cases have been characterized by the killing of the victims in order to cover their evil acts.

The Director-General stated this in Kaduna while speaking during the inauguration of the Kaduna State Task Force on Human Trafficking held at the Government House, Kaduna.

State Task Forces on human trafficking is one of the counter-trafficking initiatives of the agency to enhance stakeholders’ participation in the prevention and awareness creation in order to eradicate the incidence of human trafficking across the country.

As at the last count, the agency has set up task forces in 19 states with Kaduna State bringing the total number to 20, a statement from NAPTIP headquarters in Abuja said.

While commending the Kaduna State for setting up four Sexual Assault Referral Centres, the NAPTIP boss requested that details of convictions and data be sent to National Sex Offender Register which is domiciled with the agency.

In her response, the Acting Kaduna State Governor, Her Excellency, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, commended the agency for its massive awareness creation, adding that human trafficking is a crime that requires sustained cooperation and support of the whole nation.

She promised that Kaduna State Government shall provide the needed support for the effective functioning of the newly inaugurated Task Force.

In his goodwill message, the Lagos Sub-Office Head/Programme Manager of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) who represented the Chief of Mission, Mr Kabla Amihere, expressed satisfaction with the membership of the Task Force, adding that the organization will continue to support the fight against human trafficking in the country.

Membership of the Task Force were drawn from Law Enforcement Agencies, Civil Society groups, representative of women groups, community leaders, religious leaders and other critical stakeholders.

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