By: Nyima Sillah
The National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (NAATIP) said it identified 24 Nigerian victims, who were sexually exploited, in 2023.
The agency said it also identified 10 victims of laborexploitation and four victims of unspecified traffickingbut it fell short of specifying their nationalities. According to NAATIP’s 2023 report, 20 out of the 24 sexually exploited Nigerians were women, and the remaining victims were under 18 years of age.
The agency meanwhile said nine out of the 10 victims of labor exploitation it identified were men, including a boy of less than 18 years of age. The agency reported that four of these labor exploitation victims are Nigerian nationals while the other six are Gambian nationals.
“This information highlights the prevalence of different forms of human trafficking involving Nigerian and Gambian nationals and the demographics of the victims. The agency’s efforts to identify and support victims are crucial in addressing the issue of human trafficking and ensuring that victims receive the necessary assistance and protection. It is important to highlight that the data above reflects administrative data and not country statistics,” the report stated.