NAPTIP suspends driver over alleged sexual abuse of minors in custody

From Isaac Job, Uyo

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has suspended one of its staff members in Uyo zonal office, Mr Akwaowo Jonah Emmanuel, over gross sexual abuse and exploitation of minors who were victims of sexual harassment but were kept in their custody for investigations.  Emmanuel, a driver attached to the agency in Uyo, allegedly indulged in the act, which embarrassed senior staff and image of the agency.   It was gathered that the suspension  of Emmanuel was the outcome of a report of the interim committee set up by the management of the agency to investigate the matter, pending the final decision of the Senior Staff Committee who had  deliberated  and recommend appropriate sanction for the offender in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules.

The suspension was contained in a letter from NAPTIP with reference number  NAPTIP/PwP/462/T1 titled, “Update and Proactive Response by the Management of the NAPTIP on the Alleged Sexual Harassment of Victim by Mr Jonah Akwaowo Emmanuel.” It was dated February 10, 2025 and made available to Saturday Sun in Uyo by its Press Officer, Mr Vincent Adekoye.

Meanwhile, an Abuja based human rights crusader, Jacob B. Udobang of Jacob B. Udobang Associates has petitioned the agency exposing some of the illicit activities of some staff in Uyo Zonal office.  He demanded that the matter be transferred to the headquarters for the DG to investigate impartially.

The Director General of NAPTIP, Benta Bello, while reacting on the incident, vowed that the officer concerned would be made to face the full wrath of the law if found guilty of the offence.