The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other related offences has sacked six of it’s officials for making love advances to female victims, collecting bribes and other unethical conducts.
It was gathered that apart from the sacking, another worker was compulsorily retired and two others sanctioned for committing “various offences that were inimical to the operations of the agency.”
The agency, in letters issued to the officials, said other reasons for their dismissal included providing information about the agency’s operations to outsiders for a fee, thereby endangering the lives of NAPTIP operatives.
They were also reported to have aided the escape of suspects from custody.
The Head of Public Relations, Mrs Stella Nezan, confirmed the incident in a release on Thursday, noting that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, approved the dismissal of the six officials.
She did not disclose the names of the officials.
She said, “The AGF has approved the dismissal of six officers of NAPTIP, one compulsory retirement and sanctioning of two others for various offences that were inimical to the operations of the agency.
“The latest action was the peak of a series of internal disciplinary measures taken in strict compliance with the provisions of the Civil Service Rules and other extant labour laws.
“The offences committed by them included collection of bribes, aiding the escape of suspects and making love advances to potential victims of trafficking as a condition for rendering services to them.
“The offences were categorised under corruption, divided loyalty, sabotage and gross indiscipline, contrary to the Civil Service Regulations.”
The NAPTIP Director-General, Julie Okah-Donli, said the decision to sack the officials was a difficult but necessary step for the authorities, noting that such would serve as a deterrent to others.
“I am sad over the situation, but laid down procedures must be followed. The agency is very important, not only to the Nigerian government, but the global community and we cannot afford to do anything less.
