Izzy Ogbeide Accuses NAPTIP of Ignoring Past Appeals for Help as Trafficking Survivor

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Summary: Izzy Ogbeide has accused the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons of ignoring her past appeals for help when she sought protection as a trafficking survivor. The agency has since responded by praising her courage for speaking publicly about her experience.

Media personality Izzy Ogbeide has publicly criticised the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), claiming that the agency failed to respond to earlier appeals she made for assistance when she was seeking protection as a survivor of human trafficking.

NAPTIP is Nigeria’s federal agency established in 2003 to combat human trafficking, forced labor, and exploitation. It leads the nation’s response through prevention, prosecution of traffickers, rehabilitation of victims, and partnership, utilising the NAPTIP Act to enforce laws.

Izzy began speaking out in an earlier video testimony where she recounted being trafficked from Nigeria to Europe as a minor after a woman arranged her travel abroad under false pretences, with her journey passing through France before she was taken to Italy.

She also said that traffickers subjected her to ritual practices, including collecting parts of her body such as hair and nails, which were used in spiritual oaths intended to enforce obedience and prevent victims from escaping.

In a video message going viral on social media, Izzy addressed the NAPTIP directly, claiming that several attempts she made in the past to reach the agency were ignored. According to her, the first effort to contact the agency dates back to 2017 when she formally wrote a letter seeking help, but never received a response.

She also said the correspondence was sent through official channels in the United Kingdom. She explained that the letter originated from her then Member of Parliament in Manchester and was printed on official government stationery.

“I sent three letters, one to the UK government, one to the Edo State King’s Palace, and one to NAPTIP. The UK replied within two weeks and told me they send five million every year to support Nigeria to tackle human trafficking,” she said, adding that while the UK government responded, she did not receive any reply from NAPTIP.

Following the videos, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons responded in a message posted on X, commending Izzy for speaking out about her experience. Addressing her directly, the agency added:

“To Izzy Ogbeide: Your voice matters. Thank you for your bravery in turning pain into purpose. We are here to support survivors in their healing journey and to ensure justice for all victims of this modern-day slavery.”

Human trafficking reports and data have shown that Edo state is a prominent source location for trafficking victims and one of the most trafficked destinations in Africa. In 2016, nearly 11,000 women who arrived in Italy for sex trafficking through the Mediterranean Sea came from Edo state.