The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 258 victims of human trafficking in Jigawa State and reunited them with their families, while facilitating the return of 512 stranded indigenes from abroad over the past 18 months.
The Jigawa State Commander of NAPTIP, Abdulkadir Turajo, disclosed this during activities marking the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in Dutse, the state capital. He said Jigawa remains one of the states vulnerable to human trafficking because of its location along the border with the Niger Republic, making it both a source and transit route for traffickers.
According to Turajo, the state command, established in July 2023, has handled 78 human trafficking cases and secured two convictions, including one involving a foreign national. He added that all 258 rescued victims had been reunited with their families after receiving the necessary support.
He also revealed that between January 2025 and July 2026, a total of 512 Jigawa indigenes stranded in different countries were returned to Nigeria through a collaboration between NAPTIP and the International Organization for Migration.
The commander warned that traffickers are increasingly exploiting fake job offers, online scams and fraudulent recruitment schemes to lure young people into forced labour and other forms of exploitation. He described human trafficking as a modern form of slavery driven by deception, coercion and abuse of vulnerable persons.
Turajo noted that the crime contributes to irregular migration, organised crime, terrorism and drug trafficking, while also damaging Nigeria’s international image. He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspected trafficking activities to security agencies.
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As part of activities to mark the global awareness day, NAPTIP conducted sensitisation campaigns in Kazaure and Roni Local Government Areas, identified as trafficking-prone communities.
The agency also said it has carried out more than 150 awareness programmes across schools, markets, places of worship and communities in the state’s 27 local government areas.
Turajo appealed to parents, community leaders and residents not to harbour traffickers or conceal victims, stressing that public cooperation remains vital in tackling human trafficking and protecting vulnerable people from exploitation.
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