NIGERIA STRENGTHENS FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
Nigeria is intensifying efforts to combat human trafficking as the crime continues to take different forms, including the trafficking of women and children, forced domestic labour and the illegal sale of babies.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, convened stakeholders in Abuja to assess emerging trafficking trends and strengthen the country’s response to the crime.
The meeting was organised in partnership with Expertise France, a French government agency implementing European Union-funded anti-trafficking programmes in Nigeria.
NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Bello, described the initiative as timely and urged stakeholders to strengthen their commitment to preventing trafficking and protecting victims.
Regional Project Manager at Expertise France, Modeste Krah, said the programme would strengthen operational capacity, improve skills and enhance cooperation among countries in tackling cross-border trafficking.
The initiative will focus on prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership, while also supporting investigations, victim rehabilitation and improved reporting mechanisms.
It is also expected to provide equipment for investigations and prosecutions, renovate NAPTIP offices and establish toll-free reporting lines to make assistance more accessible to victims and the public.
The assessment will help identify priority areas and guide practical interventions aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s fight against human trafficking.