NAPTIP Receives 231 Trafficked Victims from Ghana

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has received 231 Nigerian victims who were rescued and repatriated from Ghana.

The victims, mostly young women aged between 19 and 30, were lured with promises of legitimate job opportunities but ended up in exploitative and abusive conditions.

The rescue was made possible through a coordinated effort involving NAPTIP, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the Ghanaian authorities. Many of the victims were reportedly forced to take oaths of secrecy and were subjected to threats, making their rescue particularly complex.

On arrival, the victims were received and immediately taken into protective custody by NAPTIP officials. The agency announced that they will undergo comprehensive rehabilitation programs including medical care, psychological counseling, legal support, and vocational training to help them reintegrate into society.

Speaking on the development, NAPTIP Director-General Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi expressed concern over the growing cases of cross-border trafficking. She urged parents and guardians to be more vigilant and not fall for deceptive offers that put their children at risk.

“This is not just a national issue; it is a regional crisis that requires urgent collaboration. We are calling on families, communities, and international partners to strengthen efforts to prevent trafficking before it begins,” she said.

Since its establishment, NAPTIP has rescued more than 23,000 victims of trafficking and has secured over 670 convictions. This latest operation is one of the largest single repatriation efforts in recent years and underscores the need for sustained cross-border action to curb trafficking networks.

The victims will continue to receive support from both governmental and non-governmental organizations as they begin the process of recovery and reintegration into their communities.