The Edo State Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) reported the arrest of 64 suspected human traffickers and the rescue of 100 victims in Edo and Delta states in 2023.

The Zonal Commander, Bar. Nduka Nwawene, who disclosed this during the presentation of starter packs to three survivors of human trafficking in the zone, said the agency also arrested 64 traffickers within the period.

“We have  rescued over 100 survivors in Edo and Delta state in 2023 and also arrested 64 traffickers within the period,” he said.

He said the agency was prosecuting over 64 traffickers in various courts in Edo and Delta states.

Nwawene said the survivors’ empowerment was part of the agency’s efforts to reintegrate survivors into society by equipping them with the tools to start business of their own and earn a living.

“We have many survivors to be empowered but we have to empower these three first with the support of the NAPTIP’s Director General, Dr Fatima Wazir-Azi, with sewing machines so that they can be engaged and would be able to give evidence in court against their traffickers,” he said.

He added that the empowerment of the three survivors was critical because two of them have babies while the other is pregnant.

He said the suspects were trafficked to Germany, Russia and Mali respectively where they were exploited by their traffickers for years.

“We believe that when they are doing something and earning a living, they are likely not going to be vulnerable to trafficking,” he added.