The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has rescued and reunited 258 victims of human trafficking with their families while recording 78 trafficking-related cases in Jigawa State over the past three years.
The disclosure was made on Thursday by the NAPTIP Commander in Jigawa State, Mr. Abdulkadir Turajo, in a statement issued to mark the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
According to Turajo, the agency also facilitated the return of 512 migrants who are indigenes of Jigawa State from different countries through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) between January 2025 and July 2026.
He further revealed that the command secured two convictions, including that of a foreign national, during the period under review.
Beyond investigations and prosecutions, Turajo said the command has intensified public awareness efforts by conducting 150 sensitisation campaigns in schools, markets, worship centres and communities across the 27 local government areas of the state.
He added that six additional awareness campaigns were recently held in Kazaure and Roni Local Government Areas as part of activities marking the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, noting that the two councils are among the areas most affected by human trafficking in the state.
Issuing a stern warning to traffickers, Turajo said the agency would not tolerate anyone using Jigawa as a source, transit route or destination for human trafficking.
“The Command wishes to use this medium to send a strong warning to all traffickers, both within and from outside, wishing to use the state as a source, route or destination for their illicit activities to desist from doing so, as we are ever ready and capable of dealing decisively with anybody or group of people that try to engage in human trafficking within the state,” he said.
He urged residents to support the agency by reporting suspected cases of human trafficking, child abuse and related offences, while also warning against concealing or protecting individuals involved in trafficking activities.
Turajo also commended the Jigawa State Government, led by Governor Umar Namadi, as well as security agencies and development partners for supporting the fight against human trafficking.
“We equally appreciate security agencies and all other partners in the state for their support. We urge you all to join hands with NAPTIP in this collective fight against our common enemy,” he added.
This year’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is themed “Trapped Behind the Scam,” with a focus on exposing fake job offers, online scams and cyber-enabled fraud used by traffickers to lure unsuspecting victims into exploitation.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
