NAPTIP DG visits Army Chief, Lt. Gen Yahaya, seeks support in tackling human trafficking menace; Alerts Nigerians on new trend of trafficking for harvesting human kidney organ which goes for $250,000 abroad

The Director General, National Agency for Prohibition of Rafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Dr. Fatima Waziri Azi has alerted Nigerians to the new trend of trafficking in persons to foreign countries for the purpose of harvesting their organs particularly human kidney organs which sells for as high as $250,000 in Europe, Asia and India.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Faruk Yahaya in Abuja, Dr. Waziri Azi said, “There is a global shortage for kidney organs particularly following incease in cases of such organ failure among those that can afford transplant”.

The cartels involved in human trafficking will come and deceive young people including girls and tell them there are willing buyers for people who want to embark on kidney donation which on its own is not criminal. But after opening up the unsuspecting victim and removing the kidney, they proceed to remove other organs leading to calamities.

She disclosed that as at two days ago, the Agency has recorded 500 convictions since its establishment.

Emphazing of the increasing dangers of human trafficking, She said, “Most Nigerians think trafficking in persons is a problem. No, it is now a crisis. For instance we discovered recently that we have over 20,000 Nigerians mostly women and children trapped in Mali alone.

“This is different from many others trafficked to other parts of the world like India, Cyprus just to mention a few, for prostitution. Recently, we rescued 3 girls trafficked to India. There are cartels in every sector of the human trafficking trade. We have brokers in every leg of the journey.

“They involve herbalists. When they get you to destination countries, they ask you to take a nude phograph. You now enter into agreement with them to pay certain amount for a number of years of being in bondage. After the period, they may day the money is not enough and if you refuse to play by their rules, they send your nude photos on the net and force you into prostitution.

“Two days ago, we arrested a kingpin who said he operates an NGO but we discovered that underneath, it was used to teaffick young girls. The latest trend is trafficking in persons for organ’s removal”.

To help tackle this menace, the NAPTIP DG requested the Army Chief’s support in the area of security, investigation, logistics and intelligence training saying, “Any kind of capacity building for our investigations, intelligence gathering, equipment is welcome. We want to be able to track suspects. We rely on DSS and the office of NSA but its takes a lot of time.

“We want real time ability to be able to track and arrest kingpins and cartels before they get wind and escape. We also want training support on cybersecurity”

Dr. Waziri Azi then commended the Army for its years of partnership with the agency saying, “Over the years, NAPTIP has had a fantastic relationship in the areas of joint intelligence and operations. In 2021, we arrested a soldier who was involved in child trafficking in one of your barracks here in Abuja. This was made possible because of the support of the Army. The case is in court.

Responding, the COAS,Lt. Gen Yahaya said it was disheartening to hear the level of atrocities some people including Nigerians were subjecting young gils and children to all in the name of money.

He said, “It is amazing to hear that over 20,000 girls are in Mali. Some times, these are the routes they pass through to get to their destination and they get trapped. These young people are being brain washed with foreign travel and they think it is rosy but they end up in bondage because of payment conditions”.

“Among many things that is essential to tackle this problem is sensitization between NAPTIP and Religious leaders in Churches and Mosques. The people perpetrating this crimes are not from heaven. They are in our society. We have problems. No doubt about it but we also have many opportunities.

Gen Yahaya assured of the NA readiness to support the agency in any way that will help bring an end to this menace of huam trafficking saying, “For training, there is no problem. Let us know the areas, we will be willing to support. In intelligence gathering and training, we are willing to collaborate. Our cyber security school is available to train your personnel if there are slots”

He urged NAPTIP to also liaise with other stakeholders including the Nigerian Police, the NSCDC and reach out more to foreign agencies particularly human rights bodies because trafficking in humans, holding them in bondage and removing their organs are all human rights violations.

END