By YANGE IKYAA
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has said that the various organizations operating shelters and homes that offer services for the rehabilitation of trafficked persons in Nigeria risk immediate shutdown, if found involved in non-compliance with regulations after the expiration of the 30-day ultimate issued by the agency.
NAPTIP also instructed them to obtain operating licenses if they have not done so, in accordance with the provisions of the Trafficking in Persons (Control of Activities of Organisations and Centres) Regulations 2019.
The extension of the ultimatum takes it to 60 days, coupled with the initial 30 days that have already lapsed. This comes as a result of the intervention of the Network of Civil Society Organizations Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) for the agency to allow more organizations to meet up with the deadline.
It would be recalled that NAPTIP had given all tour operators, travel agents and organisations operating shelters and homes for the purpose of rehabilitation of trafficked persons in Nigeria a one-month ultimatum with effect from 29th June, 2022, to obtain clearance certificates and licenses or risk shut down and prosecution, in accordance with the agency’s extant law.
“The new ultimatum shall now be 60 Days with effect from Thursday 1st September, 2022, which expires on 31st October 2022,” a statement sent by NAPTIP to The Africanscholar on 1st September read in part.
“All affected persons are strongly advised to comply with the deadline and the Donor Community is also enjoined to take note of the extension,” it further read.
The statement also mandated that all applications must be submitted online via https://tipclearance.naptip.gov.ng.
