The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has secured convictions of 70 people involved in human trafficking in Edo and Delta since its establishment.

Nduka Nwanwenne, the NAPTIP zonal commander in charge of Edo, Delta and Bayelsa, said this at a one-day sensitisation workshop held on Wednesday in Benin.

Mr Nwanwenne said that the 70 convictions were secured in Edo and Delta, adding that no case had gone to court in Bayelsa.

He said about 70 cases were still pending at various state high courts within the zonal command. 

However, the zonal commander said there would be more convictions as more cases were reported daily.

“Before, people did not know where to go, especially in the rural communities, which is now the target because, within the cities, people are now aware of where to go and report cases,’’ he said.

He said the workshop was very positive and proactive, noting that it was pertinent for traditional and religious leaders to be part of the process of ending human trafficking and irregular migration.

Itohan Okungbowa, Secretary to the Edo State Human Trafficking Agency, said the state government had assisted about 6,000 victims to return to the state.

Ms Okungbowa said that more than 3,000 of these victims were paid stipends for three months to help with reintegration and rehabilitation.

She said the females made up 40 per cent, while males made up 60 per cent of the data, adding that the state government had empowered the victims with various vocational skills.

Stakeholders, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the Muslim community at the meeting, unanimously called on parents to embrace the societal moral value system where hard work was recognised and celebrated.

(NAN)