Group Tasks Nigerians On Inclusion In Fight Against Human Trafficking

Nigerians have been urged to carry everyone along in the fight against human trafficking without leaving any of the victims of trafficking behind.

This was a call as stakeholders joins the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP to mark the 20th anniversary of its establishment.

The Programmes Director, Justice, Development, and Peace commission, JDPC, Timothy Ejeh, who made the call at a stakeholders awareness walk with the theme: “Footprint of Hope: A 20-year Journey – Join NAPTIP on this historic Freedom Walk.”, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

He said a lot of effort was put in place to address human trafficking.

“We have to carry everybody along and so we are trying to reach every victim of human trafficking by raising awareness and sensitizing the public about the dangers of human trafficking, and to also address traffickers to leave this nefarious trade that is affecting so many lives, including youths, and women. I can say a lot has been done by NAPTIP and partners, NAPTIP this year had about 80 persons convicted, and so they have been able to raise the bar but they can actually do better, that is why we are collaborating with them, to raise the bar from what it is right now. These CSOs, are JDPC, Earth Spring Intl, Children Against Child Abuse CACA, Health /Justice Development and Peace Initiative, H/JDPI, Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria, FOMWAN, and CEDARSEED Foundation,” he said.

The Director General of NAPTIP, Fatima Waziri-Azi, has called on Nigerians to be vigilant and report any case of exploitation without getting involved in human trafficking situation.

“But I can say that there is now heightened awareness. People are calling out and people are reporting and let me say this, don’t get involved; Don’t try to stop any situation because you’re putting yourself in harm’s way. What you should do rather, is reach out to NAPTIP, and the police. We have a 24 hour call center and our toll free number is ‪0703000‬,” she said.

According to her “NAPTIP has continued to put in efforts to combat this terrible crime, with 48 convictions in 2023, since 2004, with 80 convictions secured in the previous year alone, marking the highest number ever recorded. The Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act provides for 22 different punishments covering issues of sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, child labour, trafficking of persons for organ removal, debt bondage, slavery and all slavery-like activities among others.”

Also speaking, a Member of Justice, Development, and Peace commission, JDPC, Mr. Christopher Obeto, while Describing Human trafficking as a modern day slavery, emphasized that

“Trafficking endangers both individuals, families and the society, therefore, government should create awareness of the dangers involved, created true good governance, employment and empowerment for the vulnerable .so that they will have no need to migrate or even incase those who traffic  within the country , especially for children also provide quality education should be enforced”

NAPTIP and partners have been hosting a series of activities to create awareness on the dangers of Human Trafficking, and how to curtail the menace

Confidence Okwuchi