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 512 stranded indigenes of the state have been repatriated from different countries over the last 18 months.
The State Commander of NAPTIP, Abdulkadir Turajo, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists in Dutse to commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. He said the achievements underscored the agency’s intensified efforts to combat human trafficking, protect vulnerable persons and curb irregular migration.
Turajo noted that this year’s global theme, “Trapped Behind the Scam,” reflects the growing use of fake job offers, online scams and fraudulent recruitment schemes by traffickers to lure unsuspecting youths into forced labour and other forms of exploitation.
He described Jigawa as both a source and major transit route for traffickers moving victims to Europe and the Middle East, warning that traffickers have increasingly shifted from physical recruitment to digital platforms.
“Trafficking is modern slavery. It involves deception, debt bondage and force to put people into forced labour or slavery-like conditions,” Turajo said.
He warned that human trafficking fuels corruption, irregular migration, terrorism, drug trafficking and other organised crimes, while damaging Nigeria’s international reputation.
According to him, since the establishment of the Jigawa State Command in July 2023, the agency has recorded 78 human trafficking cases and secured two convictions, including one involving a foreign national.
“Between January 2025 and July 2026, 512 Jigawa indigenes were returned by the International Organization for Migration from different countries,” he said.
The commander explained that the returnees had been assisted through collaborative efforts involving NAPTIP, the International Organization for Migration and other partners, while rescued trafficking victims received rehabilitation and family reunification support.
As part of activities marking the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Turajo said the command conducted six sensitisation campaigns in Kazaure and Roni Local Government Areas, identified as some of the state’s most vulnerable communities.
He added that NAPTIP had organised more than 150 awareness programmes in schools, markets, mosques, churches and communities across Jigawa’s 27 local government areas over the past three years.
According to him, the command has also established anti-trafficking and anti-violence vanguards in selected schools to promote early detection and prevention of trafficking at the community level.
Turajo commended the Jigawa State Government for supporting the agency’s operations, saying the partnership had strengthened rescue operations, victim rehabilitation and public enlightenment campaigns.
“Our collaboration with sister agencies, civil society organisations, the justice sector and development partners has also improved results on the ground,” he said.
He issued a strong warning to traffickers operating within or passing through the state, stressing that the command would continue to pursue offenders without compromise.
“Desist now. The Command is ready and capable of dealing decisively with anyone involved,” he warned.
The commander urged residents to report suspected trafficking cases to the agency and cautioned against shielding traffickers or their victims.
“Silence helps the criminals. Speaking up saves lives,” he said.
Turajo stressed that prevention through public education remained one of NAPTIP’s most effective strategies, noting that traffickers now rely heavily on the internet rather than conventional routes to recruit victims.
“We have a mandate and we shall discharge it to the latter for the good of Jigawa and Nigeria,” he added.
Some residents of Dutse who spoke with journalists welcomed the awareness campaign, saying increasing economic hardship had made many young people vulnerable to deceptive overseas job offers.
A trader, Aisha Maraya, said many families had been deceived by promises of lucrative jobs abroad.
“We hear stories of girls promised jobs in Dubai or Libya but end up stranded. Government should keep educating parents so they don’t fall for fake offers,” she said.
She urged community leaders to intensify efforts to educate families about traffickers posing as legitimate recruitment agents.
Also speaking, a youth leader, Suleiman Dan’asbe, attributed the growing vulnerability of young people to unemployment.
“Many of our boys see fake job posts on Facebook and WhatsApp. They pay money and end up in scam compounds. NAPTIP should do more town hall meetings,” he said.
He also appealed to the Jigawa State Government to expand job creation and skills acquisition programmes to reduce the desperation driving irregular migration.
West Trybe reports that human trafficking remains a major challenge across Northern Nigeria, with traffickers increasingly exploiting unemployment, poverty and online platforms to deceive young people with false promises of jobs abroad. Authorities have continued to emphasise public awareness, stronger law enforcement and regional collaboration as critical measures to combat the crime and protect vulnerable communities.
