The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 3,900 human trafficking victims and secured convictions for 692 traffickers since 2015 to boost the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

Its Director General, Binta Bello, made the disclosure yesterday at the High-Level Policy Dialogue on SGBV to mark this year’s 16 Days Activism against sexual and gender-based violence, themed ‘Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls’, in Abuja.

She said: “NAPTIP has achieved significant milestones in the fight against gender-based violence in Nigeria. Such milestones include the rescue of victims. So far, NAPTIP has rescued 3,900 victims of human trafficking, which includes 90 per cent of women.

“The Agency has established 92 offices and 40 shelters across Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory to provide safe homes for victims. NAPTIP has secured 692 convictions for traffickers and 37 for perpetrators of GBV.”

Bello called for the expansion of NAPTIP’s shelters to include both open and closed facilities, as well as the introduction of empowerment programmes to provide vocational training and psychosocial support for survivors.

“Let us ensure that survivors receive the justice and support they deserve. Let us as a united front challenge the social norms and structure that perpetuate violence,” she urged.

Adding a global perspective to the challenge, Deputy Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Danilo Campisi, stated: “Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed, often by an intimate partner or family member.”

Stressing the need for action, Campisi called for united action and resource mobilisation to fight gender-based violence, pointing out that unfair systems and corruption worsen gender inequality.

He lauded NAPTIP’s partnership with UNODC and other international stakeholders, including the European Union.

President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Oghogho Gwabin, commended NAPTIP’s efforts, while stressing the importance of collaboration to effectively tackle the menace.