Mar 22 • 10:43 UTC 🇳🇬 Nigeria Punch

Why NAPTIP didn’t detect ‘rape festival’ in Delta earlier — Agency

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons in Nigeria stated it was unaware of reported sexual assaults at a festival in Delta State due to the lack of an operational office in the state.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has come under scrutiny for its lack of awareness regarding alleged sexual assaults occurring at a festival in Ozoro, Delta State. This has been a topic of discussion following a Facebook post by a user questioning the agency's oversight on what has been described as a longstanding tradition. The user highlighted the festival's notorious reputation and questioned NAPTIP's lack of presence and intervention over the years, implying a failure on the agency's part to combat such issues effectively.

In response, NAPTIP explained that they do not have an operational office in Delta State, which limits their ability to monitor and address events such as the festival. They emphasized that combating human trafficking and gender-based violence is a collective responsibility that requires engagement from all sectors of society. NAPTIP urged the community to assist in reporting such incidents, stating that timely information is crucial in tackling these societal issues.

This incident brings to light the broader challenges faced by organizations like NAPTIP in addressing entrenched cultural practices linked to gender-based violence. The agency's response reflects the need for better support structures and community involvement to enhance awareness and prevention efforts in regions where operational limitations exist. It also underscores the importance of societal vigilance and the role of citizens in reporting criminal activities, particularly in areas without direct oversight from relevant authorities.

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