The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) was created on 14th of July 2003 by the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2003.
The Agency is the Federal Government of Nigeria’s response to addressing the scourge of trafficking in persons. It is a fulfillment of the country’s international obligation under the Trafficking in Persons Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children, supplementing the United Nations Transnational Organized Crime Convention (UNTOC).
Nigeria became a signatory to the Transnational Organized Crime Convention and its Trafficking in Persons Protocol on 13th December, 2000. Article 5 of the Trafficking Protocol enjoins States Parties to criminalize practices and conduct that subject human beings to all forms of exploitation which includes in the minimum sexual and labour exploitation.
The Trafficking in Persons Act 2003 was an outcome of a private member bill sponsored at the National Assembly by the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF), a non-governmental organization founded by Mrs. Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar, the wife of the Vice-President of Nigeria at that time.
The Bill was passed by the National Assembly on 7th July, 2003 and Presidential Assent given on 14th of July 2003. The law which is operational throughout the country created NAPTIP as a specific multi-disciplinary crime-fighting Agency and the nation’s focal institution to fight the scourge of trafficking in persons in the country using the five pronged approach of Policy, Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership.
The Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003 went through an amendment in 2005 in a bid to further strengthen the Agency. However, in 2015, as a result of the new trends in the crime of trafficking in persons and the need to further strengthen the institutional framework, the Act was repealed and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition), Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 was enacted. The new Act received Presidential assent on 26th March 2015.
Mission Statement: To protect all persons against human trafficking, and violence against persons through a people-centered access to justice, and the provision of safe spaces
Vision Statement: Towards a nation free from human trafficking and violence against persons
Core Value (IPAC)
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Accountability
- Commitment
Strategic Approach (SP-DDR)
- Survivor-centered
- People-centred access to justice
- Disability inclusion
- Gender Mainstreaming
- Research Based
FUNCTIONS OF THE AGENCY
- Enforce and administer the provisions of this Act.
- Co-ordinate and enforce all other laws on Trafficking in persons and related offences.
- Adopt effective measures for the prevention and eradication of trafficking in persons and related offences.
- Establish co-ordinated preventive, regulatory and investigatory machinery geared towards the eradication of trafficking in persons.
- Investigate all cases of trafficking in persons including forced labour, child labour, forced prostitution, exploitative labour and other forms of exploitation, slavery and slavery – like activities, bonded labour, removal of organs, illegal smuggling of migrants, sale and purchase of persons.
- Encourage and facilitate the availability and participation of persons who voluntarily, consent to assist in investigations or proceedings relating to trafficking in persons and related offences.
- Enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement agents and other partners in the suppression of trafficking in persons.
- Create public enlightenment and awareness through seminars, workshops, publications, radio and television programmes and other means aimed at educating the public on the dangers of trafficking in persons.
- Establish and maintain communications to facilitate rapid exchange of information concerning offences under this Act.
- Conduct research and strengthen effective legal means of international co-operation in suppressing trafficking in persons.
- Implement all bilateral and multilateral treaties and conventions on trafficking in persons adopted by Nigeria.
- Strengthen co-operation and conduct joint operations with relevant law enforcement and security agencies, international authorities and other relevant partners in the eradication of trafficking in persons.
- Co-ordinate, supervise and control.
- The protection, assistance and rehabilitation of trafficked persons.
- All functions and activities relating to investigation and prosecution of all offences connected with or relating to trafficking in persons.
- Adopt measures to identify, trace, freeze, confiscate or seize proceeds, property, funds or other assets derived from trafficking in persons or related offences.
- Conduct research on factors responsible for internal and external trafficking in persons and initiate programmes and strategies aimed at the prevention and elimination of the problem.
- Facilitate rapid exchange of scientific and technical information concerning or relating to trafficking in persons.
- Collaborate with government bodies both within and outside Nigeria whose functions are similar to those of the Agency in the area of the:
- Movement of proceeds or properties derived from trafficking in persons and other related offences.
- Identities, location and activities of persons suspected of being involved in trafficking in persons and other related offences.
- Exchange of personnel and other experts.
- Establish and maintain a system for monitoring trans-border activities relating to trafficking in persons in order to identify suspicious movements and persons involved.
- Deal with matters connected with the extradition and deportation of persons involved in trafficking in persons and other mutual legal assistance between Nigeria and any other country in trafficking in persons, subject to the supervision of the Minister.
- Initiate, develop and improve special training programmes for personnel of the Agency and relevant law enforcement agents charged with the responsibility of detecting offences created under this Act.
- Carry out such other activities as are necessary for the efficient discharge of the functions conferred on it under this Act.
For more, visit www.naptip.gov.ng
