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  • National Action Plan on Human Trafficking in Nigeria 2022 to 2026 underway – FG

    National Action Plan on Human Trafficking in Nigeria 2022 to 2026 underway – FG

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    The Federal Government has disclosed that a Roadmap for the National Action Plan on Human Trafficking in Nigeria 2022 – 2026 to be unveiled by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development is underway.
    In a statement signed by Nneka Ikem Anibeze, SA Media to the minister, the National Action Plan approved at the Federal Executive Council will coordinate efforts for greater effectiveness and efficiency by stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.

    The Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq who presented the document at FEC said,, “It will serve as a National Policy Document in combating human trafficking in Nigeria and the blueprint for all anti-human trafficking interventions as it ensures efficiency and greater synergy in the utilization of intervention funds from the international community and domestic donors.”

    Farouq also hinted that the implemention of the NAP 2009-2012 Framework for a coordinated response to human trafficking in Nigeria has led to numerous achievements recorded by the Agency in the succeeding years, hence the need for an upgrade.

    The Document is a roadmap for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), State Taskforces against Human Trafficking, Civil Society Organisations, International Donor Organisations as well as the Media in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.

    The National Policy Document also serves as a tool for yearly measurements and evaluation of stakeholders implementation of projects for the success of all activities.
    In the same way it provides strong mechanisms which cover Protection, prevention, prosecution, Law enforcement and access to justice, Partnership coordination and digitization, Research, data and Statistics, Monitoring and evaluation.

    In the light of this, the Swiss Governments funded a technical assistance project “Strengthening the policy framework and response to human trafficking in Nigeria” to aid NAPTIP and the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) and to support Nigeria’s efforts in developing a new five year National Action Plan on trafficking for 2022-2026.

    The National Action Plan will comprise five critical pillars of action on trafficking in persons including Protection and Assistance, Prevention, Research and Assessment, Prosecution, Partnership and Coordination.

  • NAPTIP rescues 61 victims of human trafficking in Katsina

    NAPTIP rescues 61 victims of human trafficking in Katsina

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), has rescued 61 victims of human trafficking in Kongolom International border Post, Maiadua in Katsina state.

    The Zonal Commander of NAPTIP in Kano, Mr Abdullahi Babale, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano on Tuesday.

    He said that the rescue operation was conducted by Officers and men of the Joint Border Task Force (JBTF), in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service in Katsina.

    “The victims were rescued by the Nigeriene Police in Niger Republic, on their way to Libya.

    ”The victims are made up of 29 males and 32 females, aged between 19 and 50.

    ”These victims hail from Edo, Imo, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Lagos state.

    ”Others are Cross Rivers, Delta, Kano, Kwara, Benue, Akwa ibom, Ebonyi, Kogi and Gombe state,” he said.

    Babale noted that the victims are currently undergoing counselling sessions in a shelter, while an investigation has been launched.

  • Ortom inaugurates Task Force on Human Trafficking, others

    Ortom inaugurates Task Force on Human Trafficking, others

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has restated his administration’s resolve to collaborate with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Human Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to eliminate incidences of rape and other forms of human degradation.

    The Governor made this disclosure on Tuesday at the inauguration of a twenty six man State Task Force on Human Trafficking at the Government House Makurdi noting that the Task Force would be supported with budgetary provisions and programs aimed at ending child labor, abuse and other forms of Trafficking especially at the grassroots.

    Ortom who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu contended that the trafficking was an embarrassment to the state an the nation in general, averring that the present administration in the state has introduced measures through legal and policy frame work such as enactment of violence against persons Prohibition Law.

    The Governor lauded NAPTIP over the appointment of a Benue indegene , Mrs. Gloria Bai as the Makurdi Zonal Commander of the agency. He assured them of continued support to enable them deliver their mandate in the state and other parts of the zone.

    Also speaking, the Director General of the agency, Mrs. Leman Ibrahim applauded the state government for enacting the violence against persons Prohibition Law, adding that the state Task Force on Human Trafficking which has been established in sixteen states have pivotal roles to play in ensuring adequate sensitization at the grassroots.

    She sued for development of new initiatives to ensure adequate resources for rehabilitation and return of victims of trafficking and irregular migration with good shelter, vocational training facilities and scholarship to provide economic empowerment for victims.

  • Enugu Government inaugurates Task Force on Human Trafficking

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has applauded the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his support for frontline health workers to safeguard the lives of the citizens of the State to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    The body gave the commendations when its Director General, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, led a delegation to the Government House, Enugu, on Wednesday, for the inauguration of the Enugu State Task Force on Human Trafficking.

    Okah-Donli said NAPTIP, as the focal agency in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria, was also the implementing agency for the Violence against Persons Prohibition Act 2015, which Enugu State domesticated on 8th May 2019.

    According to her, NAPTIP was collaborating with State Governments to set up task forces against human trafficking, under the supervision of the State Governors, to be chaired by state attorneys general to consolidate the efforts of the agency and other stakeholders.

    She said the task forces on human trafficking had a role to play in ensuring adequate sensitization at the grassroots and among vulnerable groups by providing services to victims who had been rescued and returned, as well as information sharing and law enforcement.

    Governor Ugwuanyi, while inaugurating the task force, described human trafficking as ‘an open wound on the body of our society, a crime against humanity, and a global phenomenon that exceeds the competence of any community or country’.

    He noted that his administration had earlier demonstrated commitment to the elimination of the human trafficking menace, disclosing that Enugu was among the first few states in Nigeria to pass the Child Rights and Responsibility Law of 2015.

    While appreciating efforts of NAPTIP for consolidating State Governments’ policies to counter the terrible scourge of human trafficking, the Governor called for enhanced partnership among stakeholders to eradicate trafficking and rehabilitate survivors.

    Members of the state task force include;

    Tochukwu, Emmanuel Anyanwuma (State Ministry of Justice),
    Mr Chuka Umunna (Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment)
    Okenwa Uzoamaka Uzoechina (State Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development)
    CSP Ezenwa Onyekaba (Nigeria Police Force)
    CIS Nneka Ilojeme (Nigerian Immigration Service)
    Achi Idris (National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency)
    Ikpa Chinyere Rose (National Security and Civil Defence Corps) and
    Uwa Chioma (Federal Road Safety Corps).

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  • COVID-19 poses challenge to fighting human trafficking –NAPTIP

    COVID-19 poses challenge to fighting human trafficking –NAPTIP

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says the contagious nature of the novel coronavirus poses serious challenge to security personnel working against human trafficking in the country.
    NAPTIP Director-General, Mrs Julie Okah-Donli, said this on Thursday at a virtual meeting organised to commemorate the 2020 World Human Trafficking Day, marked on July 30.
    Okah-Donli said that the coronavirus pandemic had hindered enforcement officers in identifying and providing support for victims of trafficking as a result of the dehumanising conditions where the victims work.
    According to the D-G, the victims are more susceptible to contracting the virus and are often at the back of the line in accessing healthcare services.
    She said that most countries had also cut back their support and services to victims of trafficking to prioritise their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    “The pandemic has increased the rate of unemployment and occasioned reduction in incomes especially for low wage and informal sector workers, thereby significantly increasing their vulnerability and those of their dependents to becoming victims of trafficking.
    “All these further complicate the task of identifying victims of human trafficking, which has always been a challenge, even under normal circumstances, because trafficking victims are often exploited in illegal way,’’ she said.
    Also speaking at the meeting, Hajia Sadiya-Umar Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, said that the effects of human trafficking were far reaching and required support from all and sundry.
    According to her, traffickers are adjusting the business by creating new tactics occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic to lure their victims into this illegal act.
    “Victims are trafficked, they are enslaved, abused physically and mentally, or used as sex slaves.
    “Our dear brothers and sisters are denied opportunities for education and robbed of the opportunity to develop their potential in the prime of their lives.
    “Some of the devastating impacts on those who are victims include early motherhood, unwanted pregnancies, loss of education, loss of childhood, and loss of economic opportunities.
    “We are not oblivious of the increasing social and economic inequalities that are among the root causes of human trafficking in the country.
    “The Federal Government is responding to this through several interventions designed to help Nigerians as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic,’’ she said.
    The minister, however, appealed to stakeholders to do all they can to strengthen the efforts to effectively identify victims of sexual exploitation and ensure that victims are protected and have access to social benefits and health care. (NAN)

  • Gov. Okowa restates his administration’s commitment to fighting human trafficking

    Gov. Okowa restates his administration’s commitment to fighting human trafficking

    The Governor of Delta, Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday said the state was not relenting in its avowed commitment to winning the war against human trafficking.

    Okowa said this when Dame Julie Okah-Donli, the Director General (DG) of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Asaba.

    The governor assured the director general that the Delta Government would do all it could to stamp out the ugly threat.

    He also assured the DG that the agency’s request for an office accommodation in the state to enhance its operations, would be met as soon as the new ultra-modern state secretariat complex was completed.

    Also, Mr Charles Aniagwu, Commissioner for Information and member, Delta State Task Force on Human Trafficking, said the body would restrategies on effective collaboration with traditional rulers, community leaders and religious organisations on how to end the crime.

    Aniagwu advised youths to be weary of the inordinate crave to travel abroad to seek for greener pasture which was non-existent

    Okah-Donli had earlier expressed appreciation to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for supporting NAPTIP in the joint effort to eradicate human trafficking in the country.

    She said there was need for mobilisation of paramount rulers and the entire traditional institution in the state towards massive anti-human trafficking action and behavioral change communication.

    “There should be patnership with all stakeholders towards sensitisation against violations of women/girls and children’s rights, through grassroots sensitisation and mobilisation, especially in Asaba and its vicinities,” she said.

    The DG urged parents not to be deceived by those who promised their children of employment opportunities abroad because of the risk involved in such promises.

    “It is important that parents and guardians be told the truth about the evils and dangers of human trafficking.

    “Rural women should be empowered and when they have enough to take care of their children, they will not allow their children to go abroad.

    “There should also be donation of life skill equipment for the empowerment of victims of human trafficking, she said.

    Earlier in the day, the director general had paid the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Chike Edozien, a courtesy visit in his palace, where she solicited the support of the traditional institution in the fight against the menace.

    The monarch called for concerted effort by all stakeholders to combat the evil of human trafficking in the nation.

    The Asagba of Asaba who commended the agency for taking on such responsibility, said it was a daunting task for the agency’s personnel, as they were confronting the source of livelihood of those involved in the illicit act.

    “We realised that human trafficking is a problem that needs to be tackled.

    “We inaugurated some women in the community and my wife (the queen) is their leader; the women in this community will work hand in hand with NAPTIP,” Prof Edozie said. (NAN)

  • Human trafficking: NIS apprehends 7 girls

    Human trafficking: NIS apprehends 7 girls

    The Operatives of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Command in Lagos, has apprehended seven girls allegedly being trafficked.

    The Service Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday James made the disclosure  in statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    James said the girls were on their way to Cairo, Dubai and Oman on Emirates and Egypt airlines.

    According to him, three of the girls were on Emirates airline to Dubai while four were aboard Egypt airline to Cairo and Oman.

    He commended the NIS Comptroller in charge of the Airport command, Mr Usman Abdullahi and his officers for doing a good job.

    He urged the NIS officials not to relent as the activities of human traffickers and smugglers must be discouraged and halted through aggressive intelligence gathering.

    “This would also be done through proactive operations and surveillance mounted to dissuade the organised crime from flourishing,” he added.

    The Comptroller General, NIS, Mr Muhammad Babandede assured Nigerians that the service would not relent in its efforts in keeping a safe border to ensure a safe Nation in the pursuit of it statutory mandate.

    “NIS has upgraded facilities to checkmate irregular human mobility and will do everything to justify the support and commitment of the Federal Government to making the service a world class service.

    ” This would however help us to compete with others in the exhibition of best global practices even as the e- solutions are deployed, the MIDAS , Risk analysis cell, i- 24/7 INTERPOL facilities, E- pars, passport and visual control, among others, ” he said.

    NIS operatives had apprehended nine girls on Jan. 25, who were on their way to Lebanon, Cairo, Dubai and India on Ethiopian, Peace, Egypt and East Airlines. (NAN)

  • NAPTIP secured 23 convictions on human trafficking in 2019 – DG

    NAPTIP secured 23 convictions on human trafficking in 2019 – DG

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), says it secured 23 convictions of human trafficking offenders in 2019.

    Its Director-General, Mrs. Julie Okah-Donli, disclosed this during an interactive session with newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

    She said that a total of 749 human trafficking and other related cases were reported to the agency out of which 538 suspects were taken to court for prosecution.

    “Sixteen of these cases were won by the agency, while 876 victims were rescued from the clutches of human traffickers,” she said.

    She attributed the success recorded in the outgoing year to the support the agency received from local and international partners, including the media.

    “The agency embarked on several programmes in the outgoing year but it majorly concentrated on awareness creation and advocacy which resulted in regional and global engagement with policy makers and other stakeholders,” she said

    According to her, NAPTIP, with the support of the International Centre for Migration and Policy Development (ICMPD), successfully mainstreamed trafficking in persons issues into the minimum standards curriculum of Colleges of Education.

    She added that no fewer than 400 teachers had been trained by NAPTIP and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), on methods to adopt in teaching the course.

    The NAPTIP boss said that plans were underway to deny some people their travel opportunity if they were not cleared by NAPTIP with the certificate of clearance issued to them by the agency.

    According to her, several schools have written to the agency for clearance checks.

    “These are the schools that are planning to travel out of the country for excursion purposes or something else.

    “The compliance record is low, majorly because more people are unaware of it, but with time, they will begin to comply; travel agents, who arrange ‘illegal’ travels may likely be hit by this new law

    “We shall soon notify the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and other sister agencies who are at all the entry and exit points to ensure that they assist us in enforcing the law,” she added. (NAN)