The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking IN PERSONS (NAPTIP) has appealed to the General Public and particularly Social Media Users to desist from spreading videos of minors been sexually abused as this is a violation of their human rights.
In a statement signed by NAPTIP, it said that PURSUANT TO Section 13(4)(c) of The Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA ) 2015, anyone who assists or facilitates the activities of persons engaged in acts of Trafficking in Persons or is an accessory to any offence under the Act commits an offence under the Act and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than 5 years and a fine of not less than one million naira.
It also said the procurement, recruitment, use or offer of a person under the age of 18 for production of pornography or pornographic performances is an offence under Section 17 (a) of the Act.
It therefore said that henceforth, further circulation of any pornographic videos of anyone under 18 is tantamount to facilitating the activities of the producers of such videos.
NAPTIP pointed out the case in point of a new Video that has gone viral on social media showing a 6 year old female minor who was being sexually abused. The Victim in question has been rescued from exploitative situation by NAPTIP and the Suspects have been arrested for proper Investigation and prosecution.
It warned the General Public and particularly Social Media Users to desist from spreading such Videos as NAPTIP shall not hesitate to investigate and arrest defaulters for possible prosecution.
