NAPTIP, ICMPD, Netherlands Govt Train Investigators, Prosecutors on Tackling Technology-driven Trafficking, VAP in Nigeria

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December 3, 2025
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Chiemelie Ezeobi

A capacity building workshop for NAPTIP investigators and prosecutors, and related enforcement agencies on Trafficking in Persons (TiP) and Violence Against Persons (VAP), held yesterday at Amber Residence, Ikeja, Lagos, to tackle technology and cyber-driven trafficking cases in Nigeria.

The workshop was organised by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) in partnership with NAPTIP, with support from the Ministry of Asylum and Migration of the Kingdom of the Netherlands under the Building an Environment Free of Human Trafficking and Violence Against Persons in Nigeria (TIPVAP NG) Project.

According to ICMPD Project Manager, Mr. Tunde Omoyeni, “The increasing reliance on technology by criminal networks to perpetrate Trafficking in Persons (TiP) and Violence Against Persons (VAP) in Nigeria has created serious challenges for investigators, prosecutors, and law enforcement agencies.

“Offenders exploit social media platforms, encrypted communication channels, and digital payment systems to recruit, control, and exploit victims while masking their identities and operations.”

He explained that “One of the most critical barriers to securing convictions in TiP and VAP cases is the mishandling of evidence, whether physical, biological, or digital. Weaknesses in evidence management, including breaches in the chain of custody, often undermine admissibility in court and lead to the collapse of otherwise strong cases.”

He said this challenge is compounded by Nigeria’s federal structure. “Subnational institutions at the state level, which are closest to local populations, hold significant responsibility for law enforcement.

“ However, due to the peculiarities of each state, practices and procedures vary widely. This results in a lack of uniformity between state and federal institutions, coupled with varying levels of institutional capacity across the country.”

Omoyeni noted that the TIPVAP NG project “seeks to address these gaps by providing targeted, practical training to frontline investigators and prosecutors from NAPTIP and sister agencies.

“The activity will strengthen inter-agency collaboration across federal and state levels, while equipping participants with the technology, skills, and procedures needed to disrupt criminal networks and ensure that evidence is preserved with integrity for successful prosecution.”

He said the workshop aims to equip investigators and prosecutors with the requisite technology and technical know-how to disrupt criminal networks committing cyber-enabled trafficking and preserve the integrity of TiP and VAP case evidence for use in court.

According to him, “The objective of this workshop is to enhance the investigative and prosecutorial capacity of NAPTIP and related law enforcement agencies in handling TiP and VAP cases, with a specific focus on evidence management and cyber-enabled investigations.”

He outlined the specific objectives of the training: “Strengthen the technical skills of investigators and prosecutors to effectively collect, process, and present physical and digital evidence in TiP and VAP cases; Equip participants with practical knowledge and procedures to maintain an unbroken chain of custody, ensuring evidence integrity and admissibility in court; Foster inter-agency collaboration and harmonisation of practices between federal and state-level institutions; and Promote the strategic use of technology to detect, disrupt, and dismantle cyber-enabled trafficking and violence networks.”

In her speech, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta L. Adamu Bello, OON, said the initiative, under the J&S Migration Partnership (Building an environment free of human trafficking and Violence Against Persons in Nigeria) Project, is sponsored by the Kingdom of the Netherland and implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) in Nigeria, as a collaboration, which underscores their shared commitment to combating these heinous crimes of Trafficking in Persons and Violence Against Persons.

Emphasising NAPTIP’s commitment, she said as the Director-General, the agency remains steadfast in its mission to “Prevent, Protect, investigate, and prosecute cases of human trafficking and violence against persons in Nigeria”.

Harping on the complex nature of trafficking, she said it requires multi-disciplinary approaches, adding that “The complex nature of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Violence Against Persons (VAP) demands a multi-disciplinary response that brings together diverse expertise and perspectives.

“This workshop has been designed to foster collaboration across different agencies and institutions because the Agency recognises that working at cross purposes cannot defeat the criminal networks involved in these crimes.”

She added that success depends on the combined work of financial investigators, prosecutors, and social workers, which was why the workshop “is also intended to enhance the capacity of our investigators, prosecutors, and our Sister Law enforcement agencies to effectively handle cases of Human Trafficking and Violence Against Persons.

“ We are focused on strengthening our response mechanisms, improving inter-agency collaboration, and ensuring that our efforts are informed by best practices and international standards.”

While addressing the various forms trafficking takes across regions, she said: “The manifestations of Human Trafficking vary across regions, but share common threads of exploitation and abuse.

“From the sexual exploitation of women and girls transported across West Africa to the forced labor of men in construction and agriculture, these crimes represent a fundamental violation of human rights and dignity.”

Bello said the drivers of trafficking include poverty, conflict, political instability and systemic inequalities. She added that contextual factors such as single-parent homes, broken homes, child sexual abuse and the “culture of silence” further deepen vulnerabilities.

She cited UNODC’s 2025 major trends, saying:“Human Trafficking is becoming increasingly complex due to factors such as armed conflicts, economic instability, and the rapid growth of digital technology, which are linked with other crimes like money laundering, drug trafficking, and corruption. It is in this light that this training workshop is expected to deal with the linkages between these factors.”

She thanked the Government of the Netherlands and ICMPD for their long-standing support, just as she charged participants to maximise the training and ensure that lessons learned here are not left in this room, but taken to their various organisations and also put into practice.

She reminded them that “Every case statistic represents an individual whose freedom, dignity, and future have been deeply affected. Every prosecution carries the promise of preventing further harm. And every policy conversation holds the power to build systems that stop exploitation before it begins.”

In his remarks, Michel L.H. Deelen, Consul-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos, representing the Head of ICMPD Nigeria Office, Ms. Isabelle Wolfsgruber, reaffirmed the purpose of the project.

He stated that the workshop is delivered under the TIPVAP NG Project, implemented by ICMPD with funding from the Government of the Netherlands. The project, he said, aims to strengthen inter-agency collaboration, equip participants with technical skills, and ensure integrity of evidence for successful prosecution.

Deepen said: “This workshop therefore focuses on enhancing evidence management, strengthening cyber-investigative competencies, and promoting collaboration between investigators and prosecutors.

“ Through presentations, case studies, and practical exercises, participants will gain improved technical knowledge and tools necessary to preserve the integrity of evidence and support stronger prosecution outcomes.”

He added that the workshop provides a platform for shared experiences from Lagos and Ogun.

He noted:“Successful counter-trafficking work thrives on collaboration. No single agency can respond effectively to crimes as complex as human trafficking and violence against persons.”

He commended NAPTIP for its cooperation and the Dutch Embassy for its support, adding that ICMPD appreciates “the dedication to advancing justice, protecting vulnerable persons, and contributing to a coordinated response to trafficking and violence in Nigeria.”

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Beyond Bureaucracy: Overhauling the Civil Service for a New Era

Kuni Tyessi writes that the Nigerian civil service, like other sectors, is in need of reforms, particularly in areas that will address the rot within and change the status quo from red tape to positive results

Like a lone voice in the wilderness, Dr. Goke Adegoroye, former pioneer Director-General and retired Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Public Service Reforms (BPSR), and past Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministries of Education, Interior and the FCT, has relentlessly continued to sermonise and advocate reforms in the civil service structure and practice in Nigeria.

This can be noted in his books, more so in his recently published piece of 420 pages titled “Leadership in the Nigerian Civil Service: Five Decades of Lessons in Performance, Encounters and Triumphs.”

With 50 years’ experience in the civil service, he opines that in the service delivery of this critical sector of the arm of government, sitting forlorn with folded hands after 15 years of retirement is akin to caring less in a situation whereby a house of numerous treasures is burning while a member or stakeholder looks on unperturbed — a condition he says, if allowed to continue, has the capacity for massive destruction in terms of executive pronouncements, and the aftermath of such can be irretrievable or will take the stance of the Israelites’ wilderness journey to effect corrections.

In a clear and simple style, which can be said to be deliberate for the purpose of better understanding even by the everyday people on the street, Adegoroye, in his chronicles backed with pictures and dates to serve as evidence of his claims, observes that the challenges and inadequacies experienced during his years of active service in the sector have not only thrived but have exacerbated and are in need of urgent attention, with a possibility of an overhaul.

In his interaction with friends and the media during a reading of his book after the public presentation in Abuja, Adegoroye, who centred his themes on corruption, indiscipline, optimism, incompetence and bad leadership amongst others, as well as the subject matter of Nigeria’s civil service and the diseases therein, said the new publication is a personal attempt to boldly confront the embarrassing and unfortunate situations. He believes that real-life examples used in stating the effectiveness of the civil service will spur emerging leaders and will prick the conscience of political stakeholders to appreciate why effective and efficient civil service is the cornerstone of achieving developmental vision.

In his passionate plea for change, the author, in giving further explanation behind his chosen themes, says: “At the same time, it is also an opportunity and call to heal the wounds of those that have been surcharged by the system and inspire hope to those still committed to integrity, that the system will one day recognise them.

“Finally, it is to tell those who have taken advantage of the system that nothing is hidden and that the day of reckoning will come.”

He eulogises several Heads of Service for their commitment but however opines that the chief civil servants could not, and cannot, do it alone without the involvement of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic, whose title as “Chief Executive of the Federation” says it all. He posits that after the creation of laws and their interpretation by the legislative and judicial arms of government respectively, the executive, which carries out the functions of which the majority of civil servants fall under, needs the deliberate involvement of the President, and this can only be possible if he is knowledgeable of what truly exists beyond what has been reported to him.

He says: “Yet, the change lies with the President by his first title as Chief Executive of the Federation and number one bureaucrat. The current Head of the Civil Service is making efforts and applying the rules, but how far is she succeeding? How can she reposition the service from the blind side of the President, and realising that it is proactiveness to positive initiative and not an admittance of failure?”

Adegoroye goes from one who knows and understands the challenges of the civil service to one who seems to have fallen into a trance and therefore begins to ask rhetorical questions. He might also have the answers to the questions he poses for his readers, but probably to encourage deep thinking and the birth of formidable answers, he further bares his mind and brings the questions to the fore.

Also, the questions serve as a template on which action should be taken by the present Head of the Civil Service and, more importantly, the President of the nation. He says: “How can we enthrone a merit-driven public service when not just the body language, but open directives of our principals, are driven by political patronage?”

Secondly, with public sector corruption becoming the oxygen of politics in Nigeria, how can civil servants be emboldened to uphold public trust? Additionally, what can we say about the plight in retirement of public servants who, in their service years, served with integrity? A classic case is the failure of the pension policy. How do we ensure that such failures do not shape the behaviour or values of those still in the service?

He goes ahead to advocate for the naming and shaming of government officials who go to the extent of abusing the confidence and trust reposed in them by the system. He is of the opinion that rather than leave them to karma, which might never come, and thereby serve as an encouraging factor for more corruption and ineptitude in the civil service, naming and shaming with proper documentation will serve as deterrent moving forward. While pushing for this, he again spices the call with another deep question.

He says: “Talk about the possibility of a family tree and the idea of naming and shaming corrupt public officers in the civil service and inspire others to uphold public trust and protect national interest. How do we make career public servants appreciate public service as a sacred duty, as moral obligation to serve the country good and commitment to uphold the interest of the citizens and the nation?”

Again, for the sake of emphasis and an unconscious proof of the restlessness camped in his mind about the trajectory of the Nigerian civil service, Adegoroye re-emphasises the need for the President to take a close look at the activities of one of the sectors of the driving force of his administration. He says: “It’s up to the President to uphold and deploy the necessary political will, to improve and recommend the implementation of the pieces of advice in the book. The onus of reforming the civil service is on the President. A people get the government that it deserves, and in the real sense of that, a President can get the civil service that he deserves.”

With the climax of his work taking centre stage on the need for integrity, competence and nationhood, Adegoroye comes to a denouement with words which are expected to keep reverberating until the needful reforms are done in the nation’s civil service system. He says: “The civil service and the judiciary have become the citizens’ last defences to uphold public trust. Capacity, competence and professionalism are needed, but only if we can demonstrate the courage to make integrity a defining factor in the selection of leaders in the public service, can we begin to see commitment in the service as a sacred duty.”

Adegoroye, like every well-meaning Nigerian, looks forward to the prescribed positive change. When and how this will happen is entrenched in the future, and only time can tell.

Kuni Tyessi writes that the Nigerian civil service, like other sectors, is in need of reforms, particularly in areas that will address the rot within and change the status quo from

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Honouring Dora Okoro, Legal Powerhouse and Abia’s Ambassador of Sports

Prince Royce Okolie

December 3rd is a day to be reckoned with — the day the well-celebrated first female FA Licensed Agent and Abia State Ambassador of Sports, philanthropist par excellence, Dora Ezinne Okoro, marked her birthday in grand style.

The true measure of Dora Ezinne Okoro’s success extends far beyond her professional portfolio; it is deeply rooted in her unwavering commitment to social justice and empowerment, primarily realised through the Ada Ihie Foundation.

This philanthropic endeavour serves as the bedrock of her mission, reflecting a profound belief that education is the most powerful tool for liberation and change.

The Foundation was born out of Dora’s personal conviction that access to quality education should not be a privilege but a fundamental right, especially for vulnerable children in her home state of Abia and across Nigeria.

Recognising the endemic challenges of poverty and limited resources that often force young talents out of the classroom, the Ada Ihie Foundation focuses intently on sponsoring the education of indigent children. This involves comprehensive support, covering tuition fees, examination costs, books, uniforms, and other essential learning materials, ensuring these children can complete their primary, secondary, and even tertiary education.

Beyond financial aid, the Ada Ihie Foundation actively promotes gender equality in education, specifically encouraging the enrolment and retention of young girls in school.

Okoro herself, a highly educated professional and legal luminary who broke barriers in a male-dominated field, understands that empowering a girl through education is empowering an entire community.

The Foundation’s work is meticulous, involving the identification of genuinely needy students and the tracking of their academic progress to ensure the resources are having a tangible impact.

As a philanthropist par excellence, Dora Okoro channels her professional earnings and resources directly into the Foundation to ensure its mission is sustained. The primary focus remains the empowerment of the next generation through academic sponsorship, directly addressing financial barriers to schooling. This commitment involves the meticulous identification of genuinely needy students and the tracking of their academic progress, affirming her belief that education is the ultimate catalyst for breaking cycles of deprivation.

The Foundation is a living testament to her core values, proving that professional success must be translated into direct, actionable societal upliftment through learning.

Her emergence as the first female FA Licensed Agent and Abia State Ambassador of Sports wasn’t a fluke. Her pivotal role in advancing and promoting sports across the world undoubtedly contributed to those achievements.

The Trailblazer: Conquering the Concrete Pitch

The world of football agency is notoriously tough — a high-stakes, high-octane environment where powerful global agents like Jonathan Barnett, Jorge Mendes, and the late Mino Raiola have historically set the rules.

For an African woman to not only enter this arena but thrive, earning respect and securing major deals with top European clubs, is an act of pure professional bravery. This is precisely the path Dora Ezinne Okoro has forged. Her audacity and fearlessness to “fish” in this male-dominated career can be easily and literally likened to someone running through a troop and leaping over a wall.

Dora’s entry into this field was not merely ambitious; it was a mission rooted in justice. She recognised the acute vulnerabilities of African players abroad, often subjected to contractual agreements that were less about partnership and more about exploitation — the infamous “bondage of slave contracts.”

Educated at the Federal Government Girls’ College in Umuahia, Abia State, and later earning her law degree from Madonna University, Okija, her foundation in legal principles became her secret weapon. She didn’t just learn the game; she studied its rulebook, combining her legal acumen with a deep understanding of fundamental human rights to become a force of nature in negotiation.

“As a lawyer, I decided to study the rules of football and combine it with fundamental human rights to ensure that my clients get the better of any contract,” she stated in an interview.

This strategic knowledge allowed her to execute one of her most significant yet unquantifiable achievements: liberating African players from exploitative agreements. This was a monumental victory that reverberated through the African football community, serving as a powerful, real-life example of what educated, ethical representation can achieve. Her diligent negotiation and dialogue showcase a meticulous, results-driven professional who always looks out for the absolute best for her clients.

The Advocate: Knowledge is Power in Contract Negotiation

The statement that “knowledge is power” finds its most potent application in Dora Okoro’s career. She has leveraged her education not just for personal gain but for the collective welfare of African footballers. She understands the unfortunate reality that many talented players lack the enlightenment needed to protect their rights when signing complex international agreements.

“I helped free footballers from the bondage of slave contracts, which remains the bane of most African players,” she explained. “Unfortunately for footballers, most of them are not really enlightened and I am sorry to say this. They need people who can tell them the truth, educate them on their rights. And I’m always ready to do this.”

This commitment to advocacy elevates her beyond a mere transactional agent; she is a reformer. Her focus on enlightening African footballers and securing their freedom from slavish and dubious contracts that would have wrecked their careers is the reason she clinched the Female Football Agent of the Year prize in 2021. The award was a powerful acknowledgment of the giant strides she had made in the past few years.

The global recognition of her pioneering work arrived decisively in 2021 when Ezinne Dora Okoro was crowned the Outstanding Female Football Agent of the Year at the 11th Diamond Special Recognition Awards Worldwide, Nigeria Edition. This accolade was not given lightly; it celebrated an exceptional 12 months of positive contributions to the development of the sport in Nigeria and the welfare of African players internationally.

In her acceptance speech, Dora Okoro, who holds the distinction of being the first woman to bag a football agent licence in Nigeria, reflected on the broader significance of the honour.

“It is a testimony that the world is noticing the little things we are doing in the industry, and it gives us encouragement to strive to do more for the industry and the betterment of footballers, especially those from the continent of Africa who have been subjected to much inhumanity and deprivation,” she noted.

The award was a resounding affirmation of her decision to venture into this field and validates her belief that integrity and justice can, and must, be central to the business of football.

Building Generational Wealth: The Independent Investment Strategy

Dora Okoro’s vision extends far beyond the football transfer window. With the foresight of a legal mind, she embarked on a strategic, large-scale investment initiative to build generational wealth and secure her financial independence. She ventured into the sector of high-value assets and diversified investments as a means to earn passive income and set aside significant funds, ensuring total financial autonomy and securing the future.

Her investment strategy is indicative of sharp business acumen, focusing on assets that provide both capital appreciation and reliable cash flow. She invests in everything from residential properties to real estate investment trusts (REITs), and commercial holdings such as office buildings and hospitality ventures. This multi-pronged investment strategy demonstrates a calculated effort to create a robust financial platform entirely independent of her agency work — a move that speaks volumes about her prudent planning for every eventuality.

For the record, aside from being a football agent, Dora Okoro is a renowned lawyer and an independent developer and investor who has strategically invested in high-value assets across Lagos and beyond. Knowing the importance of financial independence, she built this portfolio to earn income and secure her own family’s retirement. She has built an empire designed for absolute stability and growth.

The Persona: Bravery, Brains, and Resilience

Beyond her professional conquests, Dora Okoro is an engaging and sophisticated personality who understands the demands of being a public figure in the modern age. As a highly successful businesswoman and a mother to three lovely boys, she manages a delicate balance with characteristic grace and humour.

Her commitment to looking good and dressing well is not about superficiality but about professional confidence and self-respect. She often quotes her father: “My dad once told me that ‘looking good is good business’. So you just have to look clean.” This attitude reflects a powerful message: success is a full package. It involves meticulous professional work, sharp legal strategy, financial prudence, and maintaining a personal image that commands respect. She proves that a woman can be sexy, sophisticated, a dedicated mother, and a world-class professional who navigates million-dollar deals.

A Legacy of Empowerment

As Ezinne Dora Okoro celebrates her birthday, her achievements serve as a beacon of inspiration. She is not just a success story; she is a blueprint for empowerment. She has demonstrated that barriers — whether based on gender, continent of origin, or industry conservatism — are merely challenges to be intellectually and strategically overcome.

Dora Okoro is more than a lawyer, agent, or investor. She is a liberator, a strategist, and a visionary who saw a need for ethical representation in a complex industry and rose to meet it with her considerable intelligence and courage. She has proven her mettle, showing the world that a Nigerian woman can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in any global sector.

Her story is a narrative of breaking new ground, ensuring justice, funding futures through the Ada Ihie Foundation, and building a singular, powerful legacy of absolute independence and success.

*Prince Royce Okolie writes from Lagos.

Prince Royce Okolie December 3rd is a day to be reckoned with — the day the well-celebrated first female FA Licensed Agent and Abia State Ambassador of Sports, philanthropist par

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NAPTIP, ICMPD, Netherlands Govt Train Investigators, Prosecutors on Tackling Technology-driven Trafficking, VAP in Nigeria

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Beyond Bureaucracy: Overhauling the Civil Service for a New Era

Honouring Dora Okoro, Legal Powerhouse and Abia’s Ambassador of Sports

The Trailblazer: Conquering the Concrete Pitch

The Advocate: Knowledge is Power in Contract Negotiation

Building Generational Wealth: The Independent Investment Strategy

The Persona: Bravery, Brains, and Resilience

A Legacy of Empowerment

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