Abuja, Nigeria – 11 December 2025
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC Corporation) have reinforced their long-standing collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) during a high-level diplomatic visit to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. The engagement marks a renewed phase of operational synergy in Nigeria’s national anti-trafficking efforts.

The IHRC delegation was led by H.E. Ambassador (Dr.) Hezekiah Duru, Ambassador-at-Large and Head of the Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria. The visit aligned with IHRC Corporation’s ongoing reforms and restructuring, following the relocation of its global headquarters from Switzerland to the United States — a strategic shift aimed at expanding the Commission’s humanitarian reach and strengthening global coordination mechanisms.

During the meeting, IHRC reaffirmed the validity of the 2020 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Commission and NAPTIP. Ambassador Duru noted that the renewed engagement reflects both institutions’ commitment to enhancing technical cooperation, strengthening rescue capabilities, and accelerating the response against trafficking and exploitation.

A key highlight of the discussion was IHRC’s recent joint rescue operation in Taraba State, conducted in collaboration with NAPTIP operatives, which resulted in the recovery of 17 victims of human trafficking. Ambassador Duru emphasized that such interventions demonstrate the practical value of inter-agency collaboration and the need to reinvigorate long-standing partnerships across Nigeria’s anti-trafficking landscape.

The delegation also raised concerns regarding groups falsely claiming affiliation with IHRC. Ambassador Duru outlined the Commission’s operational structure in Nigeria, comprising over 1,500 volunteers, coordinated through State and Regional Coordinators, a National Volunteers Coordinator, and the Head of Mission. This structure, he noted, ensures accountability, rapid response and nationwide operational capacity.

In response, NAPTIP Director-General, Binta L. Adamu Bello, commended IHRC’s continued support to national anti-trafficking efforts. She acknowledged the operational relevance of the existing MoU and confirmed that the agency’s technical department would conduct a full review to update and strengthen the document accordingly.

NAPTIP officials further requested verification documents to address impersonation concerns. Ambassador Duru confirmed that IHRC would provide the required materials promptly, adding that IHRC remains an independent global humanitarian organisation, supported by partners and individual donors, and is not funded by any government.

The meeting also underscored the historical continuity of IHRC’s engagement in Nigeria, recalling the earlier official visit of Prof. h.c. Rafal Marcin Wasik, Secretary-General of the IHRC Corporation. The longstanding cooperation, the delegation noted, reflects IHRC’s sustained commitment to supporting Nigerian institutions in combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable populations.

The visit concluded with a symbolic gift presentation to NAPTIP’s Director-General, followed by an official photograph session — marking a renewed chapter of collaboration in Nigeria’s fight against trafficking and exploitation.

Reporter:
Fidelis Onakpoma
Head, Media and Strategic Communications, IHRC Nigeria

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As part of a commitment to commemorate it, the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in Nigeria has called for urgent and comprehensive action by national and state actors against human trafficking.

IHRC’s Ambassador-at-Large/Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, in his statement through the Head of Media and Strategic Communications, Mr. Fidelis Onakpoma, said human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes of our time.

According to him, human trafficking undermines the security of states because it is related to organized crime and corruption, and because some traffickers deal not only in people but also in drugs, weapons, and other goods.

But most obviously, trafficking violates the human rights of trafficked persons who are exploited, raped, and sometimes killed.

Dr. Duru noted that the International Human Rights Commission-IHRC in Nigeria has an MOU with the National Prohibition for the Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), working together in the fight against human trafficking across the Nigerian States.

He said the fight against human trafficking has three components: the prosecution of traffickers, the protection of trafficked persons, and the prevention of trafficking.

He further urged governments not to leave any child behind in the fight against human trafficking but rather explore comprehensive action by establishing a task force on human trafficking in respective states to help in identifying victims, investigating networks, disrupting operations, and prosecuting traffickers.

“The force should comprise of major state actors such as the Attorney General/Commissioner of Justice, NAPTIP, Commissioners of Women Affairs and Information, the NDLEA, Officers of the Nigeria Police and Migration, amongst others”, he maintained.

Reported:
Fidelis Onakpoma
Head Media and Strategic Communications IHRC Nigeria

The post World Day Against Trafficking in Persons: IHRC Sues for Comprehensive Action first appeared on ihrc.news.

The Secretary-General of the Transnational Intergovernmental Organization-International Human Rights Commission IHRC, Prof. h.c. Rafal Marcin Wasik, has reiterated the commitment of the Organization to engender initiatives on peace and security, democracy, human rights, development, and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria through the IHRC Europe-Africa Cooperation.

The Secretary-General gave the assurances while speaking to government stakeholders during his first Delegation Visit to the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the occasion of the Organization’s Symposium on International Humanitarian Law and Armed Conflicts, an African Perspective.

Part of the Delegation Visit was to the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), in Abuja on Thursday 7th September, 2023, led by Secretary-General Prof Rafal Marcin Wasik, accompanied by the IHRC Managing Director of Control Department H.E. Ambassador at Large J. Tatarowski and other officials of the Commission in Nigeria.

The Delegation was received by the Director-General of the Institute Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, where issues on conflict resolutions, mediation, policy advisory, information sharing, peacebuilding, capacity building, humanitarian interventions, partnership, research, and training were deliberated.

The Secretary-General expressed the readiness of the organization to offer intergovernmental platforms for communications, observation missions, and participation towards promoting the culture of peace in Nigeria through the IHRC Europe-Africa Cooperation.

While responding, the DG IPCR Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, commended IHRC’s global focus on human rights and peacebuilding, emphasizing the core mandate of the Institute which is primarily inclusive in peacebuilding.

He further appreciated the Secretary-General and his team, adding that the Institute is ready to collaborate with the Commission to advance its efforts on peacebuilding and conflict resolutions

Similarly, towards strengthening transnational relationships between States and advancing partnerships in the fight against human trafficking around the world, the IHRC Delegates also paid a high-level delegation visit to the Director-General National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi on Thursday in Abuja.

The visit was part of activities marking the Secretary-General’s visit to Nigeria which was also in line with the Organization’s mission in the protection of human rights across the globe. The Secretary-General reaffirmed the IHRC Europe-Africa Cooperation to improve information sharing and data policy in the fight against human trafficking.

The NAPTIP DG Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, acknowledged the visit and assured the Commission of their readiness to harmonize the corporate partnership between the Agency and the International Human Rights Commission in Nigeria.

Furthermore, the IHRC Delegation on Saturday 9th September 2023, visited the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam at Abuja, emphasizing the relations between the International Human Rights Commission in Zurich Switzerland, and African countries in peace and security, democracy, human rights, development, and sustainable economic growth.

Meanwhile, another meeting with the Executive Governor of Benue State Governor H.E. Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia on Saturday 9th September 2023, highlighted international humanitarian aid needed for the good people of Benue State. The governor in his welcome remarks, commended the International Human Rights Commission, urging them to consider Benue State as part of their Europe-Africa revitalizing agenda for Nigeria.

Beyond the different high-level meetings that steer the relations, the Secretary-General restated that the IHRC engages in dialogues with various partners to advance mutually agreed priorities aimed at maintaining constructive relations between states.

To this end, IHRC will join forces with the Nigerian Government and other African Leaders to facilitate a continental approach towards peace and security, democracy, human rights, development, and sustainable economic growth in Africa, where the human rights of people will be fully protected.

IHRC Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah will however, maintain the established communications with the Government ties in achieving the expected outcome between the International Human Rights Commission IHRC and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Secretary-General IHRC Prof.Rafał Marcin Wasik maintained.

Signed:
Fidelis Onakpoma
IHRC Editor-in-Chief
September 9, 2023.

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September 7, 2023
Towards strengthening transnational relationships between States and advancing partnerships in the fight against human trafficking around the world, the Delegates of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) led by the Secretary-General Prof.Rafał Marcin Wasik from Switzerland, paid a high-level delegation visit to the Director-General National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi on Thursday in Abuja.

The visit was part of activities marking the Secretary-General’s visit to Nigeria which was also in line with the Organization’s mission in the protection of human rights across the globe.

The DG Naptip Nigeria Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, acknowledged the visit and assured the Commission of their readiness to harmonize the corporate partnership between the Agency and the International Human Rights Commission in Nigeria

Reported
Onakpoma Fidelis
Head, Media and Strategic Communications IHRC Nigeria.

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