By Ngozi Nwankwo
Nigerian government through the National Agency For the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons,NAPTIP, has announced its resolve to strengthen partnership with the Canadian government to fight against the scourge of Trafficking in persons and migrants Smuggling.
The NAPTIP Director General, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi disclosed this during the joint press briefing with the Official of High Commission Canadian Nigeria held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Waziri-Azi said the Canadian government has for so long supported the efforts of the Government of Nigeria in several strategic interventions targeted at controlling the scourge of human trafficking in Nigeria and has remained one of NAPTIP’s dependable partner and ally.
Speaking on the area of support Nigerian government has enjoyed partnering with Canada, Waziri-Azi said, "One of such strategic intervention is the 2018 and 2021projectswhich supported the codevelopment of a NAPTIP strategic communication
policy; the training of NAPTIP’s officers on result-oriented and impactful communication strategies; data collection and analysis on trafficking in
persons and smuggling of migrants and the conceptualization and
implementation of the NAPTIP On the Move Against Trafficking in
Persons Road Campaign.
"This road campaign was aimed at sensitizing 3 luxury bus companies;
ABC, GUO, and Cross Country on the dangers of human trafficking, how to identify potential victims; and information on NAPTIP’sreporting
channels.
"In 2022, the project sensitized 550 bus drivers from ABC, and
GUO luxury bus companies, which led to an increased reportage in
cases of trafficking by road and a few success stories."
She said the collaborative effort would build on the 2021
project that will scale efforts in stemming the tide of Trafficking in Persons and Migrants smuggling through an intentional and strategic partnership with the Canadian Government and implemented by the Ark, Group, NAPTIP technical partners.
According to her, human trafficking remains one of the most serious human rights violations and the world's second most profitable criminal enterprise.
On achievements recorded so far, the NAPTIP boss explained that, in 2022, NAPTIP received1,440 reported cases of trafficking in persons; four hundred and twelve (412) external trafficking cases (28.6%)and one thousand and twenty eight (1,028) internal trafficking cases(71.4%).
She said two thousand seven hundred and forty three (2,743)victims were rescued in collaboration with other sister law enforcement agencies; male children were 233 (8.5%); Female children-688 (25.1%); Male
adults -363 (13.2%); and Female adults -1,459 (53.2%).
Explaining further, she said "Victims of inward trafficking were 45, that is victims trafficked into Nigeria; Returned victims from abroad were 251and Intercepted victims
were1,484, that is, those who were on their way out of Nigeria.Most of
these victims are trafficked by road through our borders all across the
country.We also secured 80 convictions in 2022; 45 males and 35 females.
"We already have 17 convictions for 2023 and, cumulatively, the Agency
has secured 592 convictions since its first conviction in 2004. We also
have 262 cases in various courts across the country."
She disclosed that to keep up with the evolving trend of human trafficking,the Trafficking
in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act of 2015 is
currently undergoing amendment at the National Assembly to incorporate current trends in human trafficking(orphanage trafficking, use of children in brothels) and provide for stiffer penalties.
According to her, he Bill has
been passed by the House of Representatives and has been transmitted to the Senate for concurrence.
Waziri-Azi expressed hope that activities under this project to be impactful especially in re-designing and re-developing the NAPTIP iReportermobile
App,a tool for reporting cases of human trafficking, child labour
and violence against persons crimes. The App will provide on
time, real time information on cases, locationof the reporter and
the suspect.
Other area the project would impact include the support of the ongoing NAPTIP ON THE MOVE
weekly television Programme which currently airs everyFriday on
NTA,DSTV Channel251.
,"Furthermore, the project with support a 30 minutes live,
phone in Radio segment on a select radio station to enhance awareness creation on issues of human trafficking, migrant
smuggling and irregular migration especially amongst Young
people in rural areas and urban poor communities as these
category of persons are most at risk," she said.
This collaboration with the Canadian Government, according to her, has further reinforced the fact that NAPTIP could only win this fight by working together with a common vision, adding that the partnership will enable Nigeria to keep pace with an accelerated world and also set the pace for other nations to follow in this global fight against human trafficking.
"This partnership with
the Canadian government is valuable in supporting Nigeria's efforts to succeed," she said.
Speaking also, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, James Christoff said Canada has supported Nigerian government in providing funding, training of personnel in the fight against human trafficking.
Christoff, however, reiterated the Canadian government readiness to partner NAPTIP on stemming the tide of trafficking in persons and migrants smuggling.
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