NAPTIP Rescues Over 180 Children After PREMIUM TIMES Investigation Uncovers Trafficking Under CSO Cover

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued more than 180 children following an investigative journalism project that uncovered human trafficking activities allegedly carried out under the guise of civil society organisations (CSOs).

The investigation, initiated by PREMIUM TIMES, exposed increasingly sophisticated methods allegedly being used by traffickers to gain access to vulnerable children and communities by presenting themselves as representatives of charitable and humanitarian organisations.

The findings have raised concerns over the exploitation of the credibility and public trust enjoyed by genuine CSOs and humanitarian programmes by criminal networks seeking to conceal trafficking activities behind the appearance of legitimate social intervention.

According to the investigation, purported CSOs were allegedly used to gain the confidence of families and communities, giving traffickers access to vulnerable children under the guise of providing assistance, protection or other forms of humanitarian support.

The development has renewed calls for stronger scrutiny, verification and monitoring of organisations involved in child protection, humanitarian intervention and community development, particularly those working directly with vulnerable populations.

Stakeholders, however, cautioned against allowing the revelations to undermine public confidence in legitimate civil society organisations. They stressed that genuine CSOs remain critical partners of government agencies, security organisations and other stakeholders in protecting vulnerable people and combating human trafficking.

They urged relevant authorities to identify and prosecute fraudulent organisations that use the cover of charity and humanitarian work to facilitate criminal activities.

Stakeholders also called for stronger collaboration among investigative journalists, security agencies and credible civil society organisations to improve the identification of trafficking networks, protect vulnerable children and expose organisations operating under the guise of humanitarian intervention.

The rescue of more than 180 children underscores the need for greater vigilance in the registration, verification and monitoring of organisations working with children and other vulnerable groups, while ensuring that legitimate humanitarian organisations are not unfairly stigmatised.