The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has urged journalists to intensify the coverage of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and human trafficking cases.

The NAPTIP head of press and public relations unit, Vincent Adekoye, made the call during a two-day workshop on sexual and gender-based violence for media corps in Abuja on Friday.

The workshop, supported by the European Union through the End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (ESGBV) Programme, aims to strengthen media professionals’ capacity to drive accountability and shape positive public perception.

The journalists, drawn from selected media houses in Kaduna and Abuja, were the first batch of the intervention by the International IDEA to set up a dedicated SGBV media corps that would contribute to influencing positive social norms and scaling up awareness.

Mr Adekoye warned against emerging cyber-blackmail schemes targeting women which may lead to extreme financial extortion and psychological distress for victims.

He condemned community leaders who attempted to privately settle rape cases, insisting that traditional mediation undermines justice and invalidates the deep trauma suffered by survivors of sexual violence.

He said, “You cannot settle somebody’s pain on his behalf.”

He restated that the agency would continue to prosecute perpetrators despite local cultural resistance and community pressure to drop charges. According to him, NAPTIP has secured three life sentences under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, showcasing strong legal progress against offenders.

He revealed that NAPTIP was collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to track and seize financial assets, luxury vehicles and properties belonging to human traffickers and cybercriminals.

The NAPTIP official highlighted that the agency operated 34 state commands and managed the National Sex Offender Register across 18 states, offering public background checks to verify individuals before employment.

He urged media practitioners to publish investigative reports and analytical features to expose criminal networks, challenge harmful cultural norms and protect vulnerable women and children across Nigeria.

Wynyfred Achu-Egbuson, the Civil Society and Community Mobilisation Specialist at International IDEA, said the media corps initiative was designed to equip journalists with the skills to report sexual and gender-based violence responsibly, while supporting the implementation of laws and policies that protect survivors.

According to her, the programme seeks to strengthen institutions, improve coordination among stakeholders and support the enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act across Nigeria.

Toyin Adewale, a media mentor, said the media had a critical role in breaking the silence surrounding abuse. She said research showed that 21 per cent of women aged 15 to 49 had experienced physical or sexual violence, while 58 per cent of survivors neither sought help nor reported their experiences.

Ms Adewale urged journalists to use ethical, accurate and survivor-centred reporting to promote awareness, encourage access to support services and contribute to positive social change.

(NAN)