NAPTIP unveils scorecard on human trafficking progress
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Abuja on Monday shared its success story on the fight against human trafficking nationwide.
The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, gave the rundown of the progress during a community town hall meeting with stakeholders against crimes and humanity.
The stakeholders meeting was organised to commemorate the July 30, World Day Against Human Trafficking.
The event is themed, “Leave no child behind in the fight against trafficking”.
The stakeholders who were at the meeting include MacArthur Foundation, Office of the United Nations Human Rights, COMPASS guiding safe migration.
Others are International Organisation for Migration (IOM), International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), United Nations Office on Drug and Crimes (UNODC).
Also present at the meeting were representatives from National Bureau of Statistics, Kingdom of Netherland, Switzerland, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Civil Defence, Civil Society Organisations (CSO) and others.
Meanwhile, the NAPTIP boss said that every fund made available to the agency by the government was put to judicious use to drive the fight against human trafficking.
She said that it was the responsibility of the agency to ensure that everyone, especially the victims of human trafficking was protected.
According to her, we must ensure to deal with the root causes luring many Nigerians to be victims of human trafficking.
She said that there was need for all stakeholders to keep using their voices, by continually sensitising the people to the negative things associated with human trafficking.
Waziri-Azi, responding to the questions asked by stakeholders on victim support trust fund, said that the fund had been in use for a long period of time.
She also responded to the question of sex scandal in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, saying that NAPTIP would always follow-up if such incidences were reported to the agency.
According to her, NAPTIP will continue to partner with CSOs in creating awareness about solving some of the issues aiding the crime of human trafficking.
Waziri-Azi disclosed that NAPTIP had 22 victims of human trafficking to University level, three of whom were currently working with the agency.
She said that a lot of perpetrators have been arrested, convicted and currently serving their jail terms.
In a welcome address, Mr Josiah Emerole, the director of Intelligence, research and programme development, stated that the stakeholders meeting was aimed at amplifying the whole society voice in preventing human trafficking.
He said that the event was also an opportunity to create interaction between the general public and stakeholders, making them understand the issues, give a feedback on issues around human trafficking and create a new road map.
“Your presence speaks eloquently to your unwavering commitment to the course that unites us, the fight against trafficking in persons. Opportunities are here with us to ask questions and receive answers.
“We expect a robust engagement by all seated here as well as those joining virtually.
“It is important to state here, that we have chosen an auspicious time as this to hold this special edition of the town hall meeting.
“The theme is a reminder that children are the most vulnerable to modern-day slavery.
“It therefore, stresses the need for combined action to protect, defend, and, empower these children, ensuring their safety,” he said.
