The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has rescued 184 victims of human trafficking and secured convictions against offenders in Plateau State in the past two months.

The disclosure was made at a validation workshop for Local Action Plans in Jos South, Mangu and Wase Local Councils, held at the Information Centre, Plateau State Secretariat, Jos.

Speaking at the event, Anne Felix, Acting Head of Counselling and Rehabilitation for the agency in Plateau, said the victims were rescued during raids on locations in Jos.

“Among those rescued were three pregnant women, teenagers and minors. Of the 184 victims, five are currently undergoing rehabilitation in our centres,” she said.

Felix added that the agency secured convictions against some traffickers in December last year and that the offenders were serving prison terms. Survivors, she said, had received skills training and support to rebuild their lives.

She further disclosed that in January, additional victims were intercepted while being transported to Akure.

They were reunited with their families, while the suspects were facing prosecution.

The workshop formed part of the quarterly meeting of the Third Plateau State Action Plan Implementation Committee on Women, Peace and Security. Participants validated grassroots plans aimed at strengthening women’s protection, participation and leadership in peacebuilding and security.

The initiative is supported by the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria Programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and implemented by Tetra Tech International Development, with Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative as the local partner.

Lead researcher, Dr Sesan Peter of the University of Jos, said the Local Action Plans were designed to complement the State Action Plan by creating community-level channels for women to report security threats, access assistance and participate in peace efforts.

He noted that women often bear significant economic and social burdens during conflicts, including exposure to sexual violence and displacement.

Executive Director of Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative, Lantana Bako Abdullahi, said Plateau was among the few states implementing a third-generation State Action Plan, focused on prevention, protection, participation, relief and recovery.

Permanent Secretary, Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Rebecca Shasset, stressed that sustainable peace required the active involvement of women.

Participants called for greater public awareness of relevant laws, including the State Action Plan, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and the Gender and Equal Opportunities Law.