‘Engaging in female circumcision will earn you 4-year jail term’, NAPTIP warns

By Deborah Akpede

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has warned that female circumcision was a crime, which attracted a four-year jail term under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, (VAPP) 2015 and various states’ VAPP Laws.

The agency made this while responding to inquiries by some members of the public on its official X handle (Formerly Twitter) @naptipnigeria on Sunday.

A member of the public on his X handle @realmuhammadd, asked if a newly born baby girl needed to be circumcised.

Another X user with the handle @AAAlhlaji21, responded by saying, that was important to perform circumcision on baby girl, to prevent them from being promiscuous when they grow up.

NAPTIP, however, debunked the myth in its reaction to the posts, warning against the practice.

“Dear Muhammad- Just so you know Female Circumcision (FC) is a crime under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, (VAPP) 2015 and under various states’ VAPP Laws.

“Anyone who performs FC is liable to up to four years imprisonment, an attempt attracts two years imprisonment,” it stated.

According to the agency, anyone who incites, aids, or counsels another person to commit the offence of FC, is liable to up to two years imprisonment.

“We urge you to use this as a teaching moment to also educate others.

“Remember “Female Circumcision, Genital Mutilation” IS A CRIME, ” It stated.

(NAN)