NAPTIP is Nigeria's federal agency fighting human trafficking and exploitation. It investigates, rescues victims, prosecutes traffickers, and operates shelters. Trafficking in persons — including forced labour and child trafficking — carries up to 14 years' imprisonment.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons is established under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015. NAPTIP's mandate covers prevention, investigation, prosecution, and victim protection. Offences under the Act include: recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving persons by force, fraud or deception for exploitation (sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery, organ removal). Penalties range from 2 years to life imprisonment depending on the gravity. Key functions: **Investigation and prosecution**: NAPTIP investigators have police powers to arrest and investigate trafficking offences. Cases are prosecuted in the Federal High Court. **Victim rescue and rehabilitation**: NAPTIP operates shelters across Nigeria where rescued victims receive temporary shelter, medical care, counselling, and skills training before reintegration. **Child trafficking**: Trafficking or exploiting a child for labour, begging, or prostitution carries a minimum of 14 years' imprisonment. To report trafficking or exploitation, call NAPTIP's 24-hour toll-free helpline: 0800-NAPTIP-1 (0800-627847-1) or visit any NAPTIP zonal office.
A girl of 14 is taken from her village with promises of a city school but is made to work as a domestic servant and is beaten. A neighbour calls NAPTIP. NAPTIP officers rescue the girl, arrest the exploiters, and the girl is placed in a NAPTIP shelter while prosecution proceeds.
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