In a statement released on Sunday and signed by Vincent Adekoye, NAPTIP Press Officer, the agency also revealed that it has provided critical support services to more than 5,000 survivors through shelters, legal aid, psychosocial care, and reintegration programs.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has secured 25 convictions, including two life imprisonment sentences for high-profile offenders, and currently has over 1,557 cases in court, according to its Director General, Binta Adamu Bello.

In a statement released on Sunday and signed by Vincent Adekoye, NAPTIP Press Officer, the agency also revealed that it has provided critical support services to more than 5,000 survivors through shelters, legal aid, psychosocial care, and reintegration programs.

The announcement coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, signed into law on May 25, 2015, marking a decade of its implementation.

Speaking at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja, Bello emphasised the importance of the VAPP Act, calling it “one of Nigeria’s most comprehensive legal frameworks for the protection of human rights, especially for women, children, and other vulnerable groups.”

Bello highlighted NAPTIP's sustained commitment to justice, citing the agency’s proactive implementation of the VAPP Act and its efforts to break the culture of silence and impunity. She pledged enhanced prosecution of sex offenders and a “double portion of trouble” for perpetrators in the years ahead.

She extended her gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, MDAs, development partners, civil society organizations (CSOs), the media, and the general public for their partnership and support in implementing the legislation.

The Director General stated, “Today marks a significant milestone in Nigeria's journey towards a just, inclusive, and violence-free society. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, signed into law in 2015, is 10 years old. This landmark legislation remains one of Nigeria's most comprehensive legal frameworks for the protection of human rights, especially for women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

“As the Director General of NAPTIP, I am immensely proud to announce a decade of impactful implementation of the VAPP Law, which has been domesticated and gazetted by 32 states across Nigeria.

“Over the past 10 years, we have raised the bar for justice and given voice to the voiceless, empowering survivors of violence to seek redress. We have protected the vulnerable, restored dignity to victims, and enhanced support systems for survivors of abuse. We have contributed to the restoration of peace and harmony in homes, communities, and institutions affected by gender-based violence.

“We have fought relentlessly to end the culture of silence and impunity, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable under the law.

“The journey has not been without challenges, but our resolve has remained unshaken. With the unwavering support of our partners, stakeholders, and civil society, NAPTIP has successfully secured 25 convictions of perpetrators, including two life imprisonment sentences for high-profile individuals in Nigeria. We currently have over 1,557 cases in court and have provided support to over 5,000 survivors through shelters, legal aid, psychosocial services, and reintegration programs.

“As we celebrate this 10-year milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the enforcement of the VAPP Act across all states of the Federation by scaling up advocacy and enlightenment to ensure that every Nigerian understands their rights under this law,” she stated.