OPE SERENA POTOKI

This study examines the impact of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in combating women trafficking in Edo State between 2003 and 2019. Edo State has long been identified as a major hub for human trafficking in Nigeria, particularly involving the exploitation of women and girls for forced labor and sexual exploitation abroad. The research explores the extent to which NAPTIP’s interventions—through prevention, prosecution, protection, and partnership strategies—have addressed this challenge over the specified period.

Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches, the study analyzes policy frameworks, case records, public awareness campaigns, and collaboration with local and international stakeholders. Findings indicate that NAPTIP has made significant progress in raising awareness, rescuing victims, and prosecuting traffickers. However, persistent socio-economic factors such as poverty, unemployment, cultural practices, and weak community-level enforcement continue to undermine these efforts.

The study concludes that while NAPTIP has played a crucial role in reducing trafficking activities in Edo State, more sustained efforts are needed, particularly in grassroots sensitization, economic empowerment programs, and stronger inter-agency collaboration. It recommends policy strengthening and increased funding to enhance the agency’s effectiveness in the ongoing fight against women trafficking

In the recent past, trafficking in human beings-particularly of women and children-has emerged on the world’s political and operational agenda as ahuman travesty of indescribable proportion. Clearly, this problem which has been exacerbated by the current discourse on globalization, migration, changes in prostitution patterns and increased attention to human rights; has also
become a tragedy which affects the physical health, social and economic well- being of its victims.