The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), on Monday, said it recorded 29 sexual abuse cases and human trafficking in Kano state from January till date.
NAPTIP Kano Zonal Commander, Alhaji Shehu Umar made this known in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
He said the cases involved two external human traffickings, two internal human trafficking, five childās labour and 20 sexual abuse cases.
Umar noted that the suspects had not been charged to court because of the Coronavirus pandemic, adding that most of the cases were still under investigation.
“When we conclude our investigations and we have enough evidence against the suspects, they will be charged to court,ā he said.
He also said the agency had seven pending out of the cases recorded in 2019 pending in the court and added that they involved external human trafficking and sexual exploitations.
He said the agency secured one conviction and rescued 15 victims during the period under review.
The zonal commander urged the Kano state government to domesticate the Violence Against Person Prohibition (VAPP) Act.
He said that the act would enhance the protection of women and children from predators in society.
āAs far as NAPTIP is concerned we have some limitations.
āBut once the Violence Against Person Prohibition (VAPP) Act is domesticated in Kano state, we will be able to do what we are doing better, in terms of prosecution and operations,ā Umar said.
He appealed to the people of the state to first rescue the victims of child or sexual abuse, then report such cases to the nearest security agency and finally to NAPTIP.
āThere are a lot of cases parents are afraid to report because of stigmatisation, culture and religion, he added
āI urge whosoever is involved either directly or indirectly to feel free and report such cases to NAPTIP so that appropriate action will be taken against the suspects and the victims can be rescued accordingly.ā
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