NAPTIP Secures Over 20 SGBV Convictions, Rescues More Than 3,000 Victims in 2026

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has secured more than 20 convictions for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) offences and rescued over 3,000 victims across Nigeria so far in 2026.

NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Vincent Adekoye, disclosed the figures in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday, saying three of the convictions resulted in life imprisonment.

Adekoye said rape accounted for most of the cases handled by the agency, while several other suspects had been arrested and were facing prosecution. He said more than 3,000 people had been rescued from what he described as critical situations since January.

He attributed the agency’s strengthened response to increased cooperation with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

Beyond enforcement, NAPTIP is also working with communities and training frontline responders to improve the prevention, reporting and handling of SGBV cases. Adekoye urged perpetrators to stop the practice, warning that offenders could face prosecution under laws including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act.

He also identified international and regional legal instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Maputo Protocol, as important frameworks for protecting victims and advancing their rights.

Adekoye further called for stronger media involvement in combating SGBV following the inauguration of NAPTIP’s SGBV Media Corps. He urged journalists to look beyond individual incidents and investigate the social, cultural and institutional factors that allow sexual and gender-based violence to persist.

He said media reports should also protect survivors by respecting their dignity, privacy and safety. The agency spokesman made the call during a workshop organised by NAPTIP with support from the European Union Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Programme, implemented by International IDEA.