Despite heavy rainfall in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Monday led a high-profile public awareness walk, reaffirming its commitment to combating human trafficking in Nigeria.
The walk, held as part of activities marking the 2025 International Day Against Human Trafficking, aimed to expose the tactics of human traffickers and raise public consciousness about the growing threat.
Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, Director-General of NAPTIP, described the initiative as a strong show of resolve and a clear warning to trafficking networks across Nigeria and the African continent.
“We are sending a clear warning to organised trafficking syndicates — your time is up,” Adamu-Bello declared, as NAPTIP officials distributed symbolic Red Cards and awareness leaflets to residents.
She highlighted the agency’s expanding network of grassroots collaborations across all 774 Local Government Areas, including partnerships with road transport unions, women’s groups, religious and traditional leaders, and state governments. These alliances aim to foster stronger community resistance against trafficking operations.
The awareness effort received backing from international development partners such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), and the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIAPP).
Aishat Braiman, UNODC Project Coordinator, stressed the importance of prevention in the fight against trafficking.
“Our focus is on empowering communities to build resilience and reduce the vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit,” she said.
Also speaking, Isabelle Wolfsgruber, Head of ICMPD Nigeria, urged the media to strengthen coverage of anti-trafficking campaigns, particularly within schools and grassroots communities, to broaden public outreach.
Mr. Javier Leon, Team Lead at FIAPP, represented by Mr. Bello Omotosho, Technical Adviser on Institutional Strengthening, reaffirmed the organisation’s continued support for NAPTIP’s mission to protect vulnerable groups and disrupt trafficking operations.
Held under challenging weather conditions, the awareness walk sent a powerful signal of Nigeria’s escalating commitment to ending human trafficking through multi-stakeholder collaboration, public engagement, and international solidarity.
