NAPTIP Rescues 19 Girls Impregnated by One Man in Abuja

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 19 girls believed to have been impregnated by a single man in Abuja. Binta Bello, Director-General of NAPTIP, revealed this during a meeting with Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), held at NiDCOM’s headquarters in Abuja.

Bello acknowledged NiDCOM’s ongoing support in the fight against human trafficking, especially in the recent rescue of 231 young Nigerians from Ghana. She emphasized the urgent need for collaboration among government agencies and stakeholders to effectively combat trafficking and increase awareness across all sectors.

According to Bello, the 19 pregnant girls were rescued from an estate in Abuja last week. She also noted the recent reception of nine girls from Côte d’Ivoire, underscoring the widespread nature of trafficking-related abuses. Commending NiDCOM’s efforts in engaging with Nigerians abroad, Bello reaffirmed her agency’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of victims.

In response, Dabiri-Erewa called for a unified national strategy involving all levels of government and society. She stressed that while progress has been made, traffickers must be named and shamed to deter others. She urged closer collaboration between NAPTIP, NiDCOM, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), and other relevant agencies.

Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NiDCOM’s dedication to supporting safe migration and protecting vulnerable Nigerians from exploitation, stating that efforts to rescue and rehabilitate victims will continue.