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

NAPTIP officials discussing efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria

By StarhavenTV Reporter

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 since the beginning of 2026.

Mr Vincent Adekoye, Head of the Press and Public Relations Unit of NAPTIP, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to Adekoye, three of the convictions resulted in life imprisonment, while a significant number of the cases involved rape.

He said the agency had also arrested and commenced prosecution of several suspects as part of its efforts to tackle SGBV and protect vulnerable people.

Adekoye said NAPTIP had strengthened its collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as relevant ministries, departments and agencies to improve its response to SGBV.

He added that the agency was engaging communities and training frontline responders to improve the prevention, reporting and handling of cases involving sexual and gender-based violence.

The NAPTIP official warned perpetrators to desist from such offences, noting that offenders could face prosecution under relevant Nigerian laws, including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act.

He also highlighted international 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 frameworks supporting the protection of victims’ rights.

Adekoye further called for stronger media involvement in the fight against SGBV, following the inauguration of an SGBV media corps by the agency.

He urged journalists to go beyond reporting individual incidents by investigating the social, cultural and institutional factors contributing to sexual and gender-based violence.

He also encouraged the media to adopt a victim-centred approach when reporting SGBV cases, stressing the need to protect survivors’ dignity, privacy and safety.

The NAPTIP official said responsible reporting could help survivors regain confidence and encourage more victims to speak out and seek support.

The agency’s SGBV Media Corps Workshop was organised by NAPTIP with support from the European Union Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Programme, implemented by International IDEA.