NAPTIP dismisses deputy director, four others for gross misconduct

*Demoted three

*Secures conviction of a law enforcement officer

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP), has dismissed five of its personnel, including a Deputy Director, for various offences.

The offences range from corruption; demanding and receiving bribes from suspects and relatives; leaking confidential information to suspects that endangered the lives of colleagues; violation of oath of secrecy; stealing and alteration of official records and Absent Without Official Leave.

A statement from the agency signed by the Press officer, Vincent Adekoye, contains that the offences are all contrary to provisions of the Public Service Rules and other extant laws and regulations.

Two other officers were demoted by two ranks for soliciting bribes from a suspect of human trafficking, while one officer was demoted by one rank for negligence of duty.

“The disciplinary actions followed the approval of the Governing Board of the Agency at its meeting of May 25, 2023.

“At that meeting, the Board considered and ratified the decision of the Agency’s Senior Staff Committee, (SSC), which earlier sat on the disciplinary matters in accordance with the Public Service Rules and other extant laws and regulations,” it states.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto has convicted a law enforcement officer and sentenced him to prison.

He was convicted on a two-count charge of trafficking, contrary to section 26 (2) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (2015) and was sentenced to 5years on each count.

This makes it NAPTIP’s 37th conviction and counting for the year 2023.