Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, expressed concerns regarding the inadequate penalties imposed on perpetrators of rape and sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria.
She emphasized the need for stronger sanctions and urged the judiciary to fulfill its responsibility in addressing this issue.
“There are some punishments that are not commensurate with the offences. An offence of a big nature like raping a child and the perpetrator is still given an option? NAPTIP wants to hear quality convictions on rape and SGBV cases,” Waziri-Azi said in her opening remarks at a one-day technical retreat for Judges and NAPTIP Prosecutors in Abuja.
She cited the sudden rise in distress calls over SGBV cases nationwide, describing it as a cue for more action.
“There was an increase in reportage to NAPTIP.
“People are actually calling and this is due to the enhanced visibility of what NAPTIP is doing along with our reporting channels.
“We received thousands of reports about SGBV cases in 2022,” she revealed. Between January and June 2023, she said over 600 such cases have been reported to NAPTIP’s helpline,” she said.
Waziri-Azi explained that “In 2023, within the period of six months we have already received 663 reported cases.
“So, with this high rate, there is a big problem within the family.”
In contrast to the lack of commensurate sanctions for rape and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi highlighted some positive developments.
She mentioned that the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) successfully obtained convictions for four suspects involved in SGBV cases in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and one rape suspect in Sokoto. These convictions indicate progress in holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
“So altogether including 2023, we have secured three convictions in Sokoto,” the NAPTIP DG enthused.
According to Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) operates through its 32 offices across Nigeria.
This includes nine Zonal Commands, 15 state commands, and eight liaison offices. However, she pointed out that NAPTIP does not currently have a presence in four states: Kogi, Bauchi, Niger, and Delta.
“We also have 13 shelters across Nigeria including the FCT for the care of human trafficking victims and those who survived SGBV.
“In addition to sheltering, we also cloth them, we feed them, we provide psycho-social support, legal support, medical support, and many more,” she explained.
The retreat organised by NAPTIP in conjunction with the National Judicial Institute is to create a platform for judges, and prosecutors to share their unique experiences in trying to prosecute SGBV cases.
