The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is calling on Nigeria’s judiciary to step up and help stop the growing menace of ritual killings. Speaking at the opening of the Africa Colloquium Against Human Trafficking in Lagos, NAPTIP Director-General Mrs. Binta Bello highlighted how weak law enforcement and court delays are making it harder to tackle these crimes.
Bello revealed alarming data showing over 150 ritual killings just in the first half of , mostly affecting women and youths. She explained that these killings stem from deeper social issues like poverty, inequality, and dangerous superstitions linking human sacrifice to success. “These aren’t random acts but symptoms of a deeper disease,” she said.
The DG emphasized that ritual abuse combined with human trafficking creates complex and deadly exploitation cycles, fueled by fear and coercion disguised as culture. Despite progress made—such as the push by traditional rulers to end harmful oaths—the problem continues to evolve, crossing borders and trapping innocent people.
Mrs. Bello described the colloquium as a historic step toward recognizing ritual abuse as a serious human rights violation. She pledged NAPTIP’s commitment to Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Human Trafficking (2022–2026), focused on prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships. “The dignity of our people is sacred, and the cost of inaction is too high.”
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