NAPTIP Denies Allegation Of Unlawful Detention Of Ibadan Businesswoman

The Management of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has denied the allegation by the Executive Chairman of the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ), Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman, that it illegally arrested and detained an Ibadan-based businesswoman.

NAPTIP said the statement by the CHRSJ chairman, titled “Trumped-Up Allegation: CHRSJ Exposes Lagos NAPTIP for Turning its Office into a Court of Law over the Illegal Arrest and Unlawful Detention of Ibadan Businesswoman,” contains several unfounded and erroneous claims.

The Agency’s Communication Officer, Adekoye Vincent, while replying to the statement credited to CHRSJ, said the investigation concerns an alleged trafficking case reported and referred to NAPTIP by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

The statement said the woman in question, Alhaja Shakirat Ismail was granted administrative bail, adding that she was accorded all necessary rights, privileges, and freedoms as prescribed by law while at the Agency’s holding centre.

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The statement noted that contrary to the author’s claim, the suspect was never held incommunicado.

It added that NAPTIP has not received any evidence of alleged compromise or misconduct by the officer assigned to the case, as falsely stated by the CHRSJ chairman.

The statement read, “Ordinarily, NAPTIP would have disregarded this baseless statement, a product of ignorance on the part of the author, for the following reasons: first, the case in question is still under investigation, and any unguarded actions may affect the ongoing efforts to unravel the trafficking syndicate behind this heinous crime.

“Second, the enabling act that established NAPTIP grants it the power to carry out its activities unhindered, irrespective of the suspect’s status.

“However, as a responsible government institution, we have chosen to respond to set the record straight.

“It should be noted, especially by the self-styled CHRSJ, that NAPTIP is an entity established by the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA), 2015 (as re-enacted).

“This act empowers NAPTIP to investigate, arrest, detain, and prosecute any person suspected of human trafficking offences, among other duties outlined in Section 6 (a)-(f).

“The arrest of Alhaja Shakirat Ismail, the subject of the press statement, is a result of ongoing investigations conducted by the NAPTIP Lagos State Zonal Command.

“This investigation concerns an alleged trafficking case reported and referred to NAPTIP by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
Adekoye Vincent

“Alhaja Shakirat Ismail was granted administrative bail while the investigation continues. It is important to note that she was accorded all necessary rights, privileges, and freedoms as prescribed by law while at the Agency’s holding centre.

“Contrary to the author’s claim, she was never held incommunicado. Additionally, NAPTIP has not received any evidence of alleged compromise or misconduct by the officer assigned to this case, as falsely stated by the writer.

“The Director General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri–Azi, PhD, appreciates the understanding and support of media partners in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria. She urges all partners, especially Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), to continue collaborating with the Government in tackling and reporting all cases of human trafficking and resist the temptation to be swayed by unfounded allegations and focus on the collective goal of eradicating human trafficking.
NAPTIP will provide updates on this case in due course.”