NAPTIP, VDM forge alliance to rescue trafficked Nigerian girls in Ivory Coast
By Ukpono Ukpong
In a significant move to combat human trafficking, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as Very Dark Man (VDM), have formed a collaborative alliance to rescue trafficked Nigerian girls currently stranded in Ivory Coast.
The partnership was formalized during a high-level meeting held in Abuja, where VDM and his legal team, led by human rights lawyer Barrister Deji Adeyanju, were received by NAPTIP’s leadership to discuss urgent intervention following revelations VDM shared online.
During the meeting, which was attended by the Director General of NAPTIP, Hajia Binta Bello, the Chairman of the Agency’s Governing Board, Comrade Mustapha Salihu, and senior directors from various departments, both parties resolved to coordinate efforts aimed at rescuing the victims and bringing their traffickers to justice.
VDM shared first-hand accounts of his recent visit to Ivory Coast, where he encountered young Nigerian women living in dire conditions after being lured into the country by trafficking networks.
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He passionately appealed to NAPTIP to act swiftly to repatriate the victims and ensure justice is served.
In response, the Director General of NAPTIP, Hajia Binta Bello, commended VDM for his patriotism and dedication to national service, describing his advocacy as a “vital contribution to the fight against trafficking.”
She reaffirmed the Agency’s readiness to act and outlined its engagement with key stakeholders.
The DG revealed that NAPTIP was already working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Office of the National Security Adviser to facilitate a coordinated rescue operation.
She also noted the complex diplomatic and procedural processes involved in repatriating trafficked persons, emphasizing that such efforts require patience, sustained collaboration, and adherence to international protocols.
The Chairman of NAPTIP’s Governing Board, Comrade Mustapha Salihu, also praised VDM for using his platform to amplify the voices of victims, describing his actions as an example for young Nigerians.
He condemned human trafficking in the strongest terms and promised accountability for all involved perpetrators.
Senior directors at the meeting echoed similar sentiments, shedding light on the systemic challenges the Agency faces, including the prosecution of traffickers, the rehabilitation of victims, and widespread public complicity in trafficking networks.
They stressed the need for public enlightenment, trust-building with victims, and stronger cross-sector engagement to tackle the menace more effectively and sustainably.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment from NAPTIP to expedite its efforts in rescuing the trafficked girls and pursuing justice without delay. The agency assured that all necessary diplomatic and legal steps would be taken to ensure the victims are safely brought home.
On his part, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, commended NAPTIP’s proactive response and reaffirmed his client’s unwavering commitment to supporting the agency’s work in dismantling human trafficking rings and protecting vulnerable Nigerians.
