By John Umeh
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to curb the growing menace of human trafficking through the nation’s waterways.
Announcing the collaboration in Abuja, NAPTIP’s Director-General, Fatima Waziri-Azi, said the initiative is aimed at strengthening surveillance, intelligence-sharing, and enforcement measures to tackle trafficking activities carried out via seaports, rivers, and coastal routes. She noted that traffickers are increasingly exploiting maritime channels to move victims out of the country, making urgent intervention a necessity.
“This partnership is a crucial step in sealing off escape routes for human traffickers who use our waterways to transport victims. Together with the Shippers’ Council, we will ensure stricter monitoring, stronger port controls, and enhanced capacity for maritime stakeholders to detect and report suspicious activities,” Waziri-Azi stated.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Akutah, pledged full support for the initiative, emphasising that the council’s regulatory oversight of Nigeria’s ports will be leveraged to identify and disrupt trafficking networks. He added that shipping companies, port officials, and maritime workers will undergo targeted training to recognise the signs of human trafficking and respond appropriately.
Both agencies outlined plans to launch awareness campaigns across coastal communities, fishing hubs, and maritime trade corridors to educate the public on the dangers of human trafficking and how to report suspected cases.
Analysts believe the partnership will not only improve Nigeria’s anti-trafficking efforts but also strengthen the country’s compliance with international maritime safety and human rights standards.
With human trafficking remaining one of the most serious transnational crimes in West Africa, the NAPTIP–Shippers’ Council alliance is expected to close critical loopholes and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation at sea.
