The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has rescued 184 suspected victims of human trafficking during a raid in Plateau State, with three pregnant women among those freed.
The Acting Head of Counselling and Rehabilitation, NAPTIP Plateau Command, Anne Felix, disclosed this in an interview with The NGGOSSIPS in Jos on Tuesday on the sidelines of the quarterly meeting of the third Plateau State Action Plan Implementation Committee on Women, Peace and Security, and a validation workshop for Local Action Plans for Jos South, Mangu and Wase Local Government Areas.
Felix said the agency had intensified efforts in recent months to curb human trafficking across the state.
“From the last quarter till now, one of the things we have done is to carry out raids aimed at eradicating human trafficking. We raided some locations in Jos and rescued 184 persons,” she said.
“Among them were three pregnant women. We also rescued boys and girls, including teenagers and persons under the age of 18.
“Out of the 184, five are currently undergoing rehabilitation in our centres. Some of the perpetrators were engaged through their state authorities for mediation, while others were prosecuted. In December last year, we secured convictions against some traffickers who are now serving jail terms.”
She added that in January, the agency intercepted another group of victims who were being trafficked to Akure.
“Fortunately, we were able to rescue them and reunite them with their families, while the suspects are undergoing prosecution,” Felix said.
The workshop where she spoke was aimed at strengthening women’s protection, participation and leadership in peacebuilding and security matters. Stakeholders also validated grassroots action plans designed to address security threats and support women in conflict-affected communities.
A facilitator and lead researcher, Dr Sesan Peter of the University of Jos, explained that the Local Action Plans build on the State Action Plan by creating reporting and response channels at community and zonal levels.
He noted that women often bear disproportionate economic and social burdens during conflicts, caring for families while facing increased risks of sexual violence and displacement.
“The plans enable women at the grassroots to report security threats and access support without having to travel long distances to Jos,” he said.
Executive Director of Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative, Lantana Bako Abdullahi, said Plateau was among the few states implementing a third-generation State Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
“The current focus is on practical implementation across five pillars — prevention, protection, participation, relief and recovery,” she said.
She added that the validation process was to ensure that the Local Action Plans align with state policies and remain inclusive, realistic and affordable for adoption by local governments.
The Permanent Secretary, Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Barr Rebecca Shasset, stressed that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the active involvement of women.
She described women as critical agents of reconciliation and pillars of community resilience.
Representatives of security and social agencies presented progress reports, while community-based organisations highlighted empowerment programmes targeted at women and girls.
Participants also called for increased public awareness of key legal frameworks, including the State Action Plan, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, and the Gender and Equal Opportunities Law.
The initiative is supported by the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria Programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and implemented by Tetra Tech International Development, with Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative serving as the local implementing partner.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has rescued 184 suspected victims of human trafficking during a raid in Plateau State, with three pregnant women among those freed.
The Acting Head of Counselling and Rehabilitation, NAPTIP Plateau Command, Anne Felix, disclosed this in an interview with The NGGOSSIPS in Jos on Tuesday on the sidelines of the quarterly meeting of the third Plateau State Action Plan Implementation Committee on Women, Peace and Security, and a validation workshop for Local Action Plans for Jos South, Mangu and Wase Local Government Areas.
Felix said the agency had intensified efforts in recent months to curb human trafficking across the state.
“From the last quarter till now, one of the things we have done is to carry out raids aimed at eradicating human trafficking. We raided some locations in Jos and rescued 184 persons,” she said.
“Among them were three pregnant women. We also rescued boys and girls, including teenagers and persons under the age of 18.
“Out of the 184, five are currently undergoing rehabilitation in our centres. Some of the perpetrators were engaged through their state authorities for mediation, while others were prosecuted. In December last year, we secured convictions against some traffickers who are now serving jail terms.”
She added that in January, the agency intercepted another group of victims who were being trafficked to Akure.
“Fortunately, we were able to rescue them and reunite them with their families, while the suspects are undergoing prosecution,” Felix said.
The workshop where she spoke was aimed at strengthening women’s protection, participation and leadership in peacebuilding and security matters. Stakeholders also validated grassroots action plans designed to address security threats and support women in conflict-affected communities.
A facilitator and lead researcher, Dr Sesan Peter of the University of Jos, explained that the Local Action Plans build on the State Action Plan by creating reporting and response channels at community and zonal levels.
He noted that women often bear disproportionate economic and social burdens during conflicts, caring for families while facing increased risks of sexual violence and displacement.
“The plans enable women at the grassroots to report security threats and access support without having to travel long distances to Jos,” he said.
Executive Director of Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative, Lantana Bako Abdullahi, said Plateau was among the few states implementing a third-generation State Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
“The current focus is on practical implementation across five pillars — prevention, protection, participation, relief and recovery,” she said.
She added that the validation process was to ensure that the Local Action Plans align with state policies and remain inclusive, realistic and affordable for adoption by local governments.
The Permanent Secretary, Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Barr Rebecca Shasset, stressed that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the active involvement of women.
She described women as critical agents of reconciliation and pillars of community resilience.
Representatives of security and social agencies presented progress reports, while community-based organisations highlighted empowerment programmes targeted at women and girls.
Participants also called for increased public awareness of key legal frameworks, including the State Action Plan, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, and the Gender and Equal Opportunities Law.
The initiative is supported by the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria Programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and implemented by Tetra Tech International Development, with Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative serving as the local implementing partner.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has rescued 184 suspected victims of human trafficking during a raid in Plateau State, with three pregnant women among those freed.
The Acting Head of Counselling and Rehabilitation, NAPTIP Plateau Command, Anne Felix, disclosed this in an interview with The NGGOSSIPS in Jos on Tuesday on the sidelines of the quarterly meeting of the third Plateau State Action Plan Implementation Committee on Women, Peace and Security, and a validation workshop for Local Action Plans for Jos South, Mangu and Wase Local Government Areas.
Felix said the agency had intensified efforts in recent months to curb human trafficking across the state.
“From the last quarter till now, one of the things we have done is to carry out raids aimed at eradicating human trafficking. We raided some locations in Jos and rescued 184 persons,” she said.
“Among them were three pregnant women. We also rescued boys and girls, including teenagers and persons under the age of 18.
“Out of the 184, five are currently undergoing rehabilitation in our centres. Some of the perpetrators were engaged through their state authorities for mediation, while others were prosecuted. In December last year, we secured convictions against some traffickers who are now serving jail terms.”
She added that in January, the agency intercepted another group of victims who were being trafficked to Akure.
“Fortunately, we were able to rescue them and reunite them with their families, while the suspects are undergoing prosecution,” Felix said.
The workshop where she spoke was aimed at strengthening women’s protection, participation and leadership in peacebuilding and security matters. Stakeholders also validated grassroots action plans designed to address security threats and support women in conflict-affected communities.
A facilitator and lead researcher, Dr Sesan Peter of the University of Jos, explained that the Local Action Plans build on the State Action Plan by creating reporting and response channels at community and zonal levels.
He noted that women often bear disproportionate economic and social burdens during conflicts, caring for families while facing increased risks of sexual violence and displacement.
“The plans enable women at the grassroots to report security threats and access support without having to travel long distances to Jos,” he said.
Executive Director of Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative, Lantana Bako Abdullahi, said Plateau was among the few states implementing a third-generation State Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
“The current focus is on practical implementation across five pillars — prevention, protection, participation, relief and recovery,” she said.
She added that the validation process was to ensure that the Local Action Plans align with state policies and remain inclusive, realistic and affordable for adoption by local governments.
The Permanent Secretary, Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Barr Rebecca Shasset, stressed that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the active involvement of women.
She described women as critical agents of reconciliation and pillars of community resilience.
Representatives of security and social agencies presented progress reports, while community-based organisations highlighted empowerment programmes targeted at women and girls.
Participants also called for increased public awareness of key legal frameworks, including the State Action Plan, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, and the Gender and Equal Opportunities Law.
The initiative is supported by the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria Programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and implemented by Tetra Tech International Development, with Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative serving as the local implementing partner.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has rescued 184 suspected victims of human trafficking during a raid in Plateau State, with three pregnant women among those freed.
The Acting Head of Counselling and Rehabilitation, NAPTIP Plateau Command, Anne Felix, disclosed this in an interview with The NGGOSSIPS in Jos on Tuesday on the sidelines of the quarterly meeting of the third Plateau State Action Plan Implementation Committee on Women, Peace and Security, and a validation workshop for Local Action Plans for Jos South, Mangu and Wase Local Government Areas.
Felix said the agency had intensified efforts in recent months to curb human trafficking across the state.
“From the last quarter till now, one of the things we have done is to carry out raids aimed at eradicating human trafficking. We raided some locations in Jos and rescued 184 persons,” she said.
“Among them were three pregnant women. We also rescued boys and girls, including teenagers and persons under the age of 18.
“Out of the 184, five are currently undergoing rehabilitation in our centres. Some of the perpetrators were engaged through their state authorities for mediation, while others were prosecuted. In December last year, we secured convictions against some traffickers who are now serving jail terms.”
She added that in January, the agency intercepted another group of victims who were being trafficked to Akure.
“Fortunately, we were able to rescue them and reunite them with their families, while the suspects are undergoing prosecution,” Felix said.
The workshop where she spoke was aimed at strengthening women’s protection, participation and leadership in peacebuilding and security matters. Stakeholders also validated grassroots action plans designed to address security threats and support women in conflict-affected communities.
A facilitator and lead researcher, Dr Sesan Peter of the University of Jos, explained that the Local Action Plans build on the State Action Plan by creating reporting and response channels at community and zonal levels.
He noted that women often bear disproportionate economic and social burdens during conflicts, caring for families while facing increased risks of sexual violence and displacement.
“The plans enable women at the grassroots to report security threats and access support without having to travel long distances to Jos,” he said.
Executive Director of Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative, Lantana Bako Abdullahi, said Plateau was among the few states implementing a third-generation State Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
“The current focus is on practical implementation across five pillars — prevention, protection, participation, relief and recovery,” she said.
She added that the validation process was to ensure that the Local Action Plans align with state policies and remain inclusive, realistic and affordable for adoption by local governments.
The Permanent Secretary, Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Barr Rebecca Shasset, stressed that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the active involvement of women.
She described women as critical agents of reconciliation and pillars of community resilience.
Representatives of security and social agencies presented progress reports, while community-based organisations highlighted empowerment programmes targeted at women and girls.
Participants also called for increased public awareness of key legal frameworks, including the State Action Plan, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, and the Gender and Equal Opportunities Law.
The initiative is supported by the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria Programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and implemented by Tetra Tech International Development, with Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative serving as the local implementing partner.
