The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello, has warned that hard times await perpetrators of human trafficking in 2026, as the agency is even more determined to thwart such criminal cartels.
The DG gave the warning while announcing plans to review and enhance the agency’s counter-trafficking strategies for 2026 in Abuja.
She stated that the goal is to tighten operations against human traffickers across Nigeria.
Bello disclosed that NAPTIP secured the conviction of 93 human traffickers in 2025 and intercepted over 2,500 potential victims of trafficking.
She explained that many of these victims were deceived and recruited for various forms of exploitation within and outside Nigeria.
“The year 2025 was unpleasant for human traffickers in the country. We outsmarted the traffickers and their antics, resulting in the impressive number of convictions we recorded.
“NAPTIP went after a number of the so-called high-profile traffickers, with many of them arrested, prosecuted and convicted. Among these were operators of orphanages and care homes whose alleged nefarious activities were uncovered, leading to the rescue of over 120 suspected trafficked children,” she said.
The Director General noted that the agency doubled its activities in 2025 due to her directive for increased monitoring and vigilance.
She emphasised NAPTIP’s collaboration with international partners to rescue over 370 Nigerian victims from countries such as Ghana, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.
Bello noted that, “As unpleasant as the year 2025 was for the traffickers, a really hard time awaits them in 2026.”
Plans for the upcoming year include increasing cooperation with law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations and local government associations.
“We shall seek improved relationships and support from the legislative and executive arms, as well as the judiciary,” Bello stated.
The NAPTIP boss also highlighted ongoing efforts to conduct awareness and enlightenment programmes targeting vulnerable communities.
She said that, “Just a few days into the year 2026, we have already secured the conviction of three human traffickers, with more expected to face justice.”
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