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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

NAPTIP BOSS Barrister Simon Chuzi Egede



The Lagos Zone of National Agency for the Protection of Traffic In Pensons has rescued and rehabilitated five thousand victims of human trafficking in the last seven years.

Head of Lagos Zone, Josiah Emerole, gave the information at a workshop organised for stakeholders, including journalists and security agencies in Lagos.

Emerole said the victims mostly children and potential victims of trafficking have been rescued, with many rehabilitated and re-integrated into the society.

He said the agency recently acquired a new shelter with capacity for sixty-eight persons, and added that one thousand four hundred and eighty-six victims had passed through the care shelter with twenty-eight currently in the house.

Emerole said 42 victims had successfully trained in various skills and were currently awaiting financial support to start their own businesses.

He said within the period, 781 persons were arrested, out of whom 113 were convicted and sentenced to jail terms ranging from two months to 36 years.

Emerole said some of the convicts had their properties confiscated and forfeited to the Trafficking Victims Trust Fund.

He added that about 82 cases were at various stages of prosecution, while 44 cases were being investigated and three cases awaiting judgment.

Emerole explained that the lack of co-operation from trafficking victims, the public, and ignorance had led to non-prosecution of many traffickers.

No fewer than 100 persons, including social workers, counsellors, civil society groups, among others attended the workshop.

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