The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has warned that it is a serious crime for anyone to tamper with evidence or intimidate any witness in cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

Director General, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, reiterated this during the last lap of the agency’s Community Advocacy Dialogue on SGBV in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Speaking at the meeting in Abaji Area Council, Waziri-Azi noted with concern, allegations that cases of SGBV in the council were being suppressed; hence the non reportage of such cases to the authorities as victims are forced to suffer in silence.

“Protecting offenders, intimidating witnesses are punishable under the law. Please, note that it is a serious crime to tamper with evidence, to intimidate witnesses, threaten, blackmail or try to give money to withdraw the matter in court.

“We were informed that the reason why community members don’t report SGBV offences is because community leaders charge community members money to settle these cases in their place. I don’t know if this is true but we can see from the data that something is happening in Abaji,” she said.

The DG noted with dismay that out of the 143 cases reported to NAPTIP protection officers in 2023, not a single case was reported in Abaji, despite allegations that community leaders take money to resolve such cases, mostly at the detriment of the victims.

Prof. Waziri-Azii explained that the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPPA), which is applicable within the FCT, gives NAPTIP the powers to implement the provisions of the Act which covers SGBV in the FCT.

She added that to better serve FCT communities, the Act made provision for protection officers to be sent into communities to report SGBV cases, and that NAPTIP had 22 protection officers, two in each of the six communities.

Responding, the Ona (Chief) of Abaji, and Chairman, Council of Chiefs in the FCT, Dr Adamu Yunusa, said cases of SGBV are being reported to the police, even when community members take them to the Ona’s palace for resolution.

Represented by Alhaji Musa Haruna, he commended NAPTIP’s effort in the fight against SGBV and in sensitising communities in the FCT. He assured that despite having a lot of cases to resolve at the palace daily, the right thing will be done as per reporting SGBV offences in the area.

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