NAPTIP, NAHCON Strengthen Partnership to Combat Human Trafficking During Hajj Operations
NAPTIP, NAHCON Strengthen Partnership to Combat Human Trafficking During Hajj Operations
NAPTIP, NAHCON Strengthen Partnership to Combat Human Trafficking During Hajj Operations
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has moved to strengthen its collaboration with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to protect Nigerian pilgrims from human trafficking, exploitation and irregular migration.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Lami Adamu Bello, OON, made this known on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, when she paid an advocacy visit to the Chairman of NAHCON, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, at his office in Abuja.
The engagement formed part of NAPTIP’s strategic outreach to institutions whose activities extend across Nigeria’s borders and whose operations provide important platforms for preventing human trafficking and protecting vulnerable citizens.
The NAPTIP Director-General stressed the need for stronger institutional cooperation between the two agencies, particularly through sustained sensitisation and awareness campaigns for Nigerian pilgrims.
She explained that increased awareness would help pilgrims understand the tactics used by human traffickers and migrant smugglers and enable them to recognise and avoid potential trafficking situations.
Bello called for the development of a modern and structured platform for collaboration between NAPTIP and NAHCON, particularly within the Hajj ecosystem, to strengthen measures aimed at preventing trafficking, exploitation and other forms of irregular migration.
She also advocated a formal framework for intelligence sharing, victim protection, profiling, referral mechanisms and screening of tour operators, in line with the relevant 2019 regulations.
According to her, closer cooperation between both agencies would enhance the protection of Nigerian pilgrims while strengthening preventive measures before, during and after the Hajj pilgrimage.
Responding, the Chairman of NAHCON, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, described the visit as timely and significant, particularly given NAPTIP’s role in protecting Nigerians from trafficking and exploitation.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to deepen its collaboration with NAPTIP, stressing that stronger inter-agency cooperation would be mutually beneficial and contribute to safer and better-organised Hajj operations.
The engagement underscores the importance of coordinated efforts among government agencies in safeguarding Nigerians travelling abroad and preventing human trafficking through increased public awareness, information sharing and effective protection mechanisms.
NAPTIP, NAHCON Strengthen Partnership to Combat Human Trafficking During Hajj Operations
