FG seeks continental synergy to tackle human trafficking in Africa

Following its determination to tackle the incidents of human trafficking in Africa, especially in Nigeria, the federal government is calling for continental collaboration, synergy and cooperation among law -enforcement agencies to enhance accelerated investigation and prosecution of human traffickers.

Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Dame Julie Okah – Donli, who made the call during the opening session of a 4-day study tour of delegates from the Republic of Liberia to the agency, stressed the need for African leaders to develop and implement new monitoring techniques, specifically tailored to detecting human trafficking.

According to her, until other African leaders exert more political will by formulating policies that will help cripple the activities of human traffickers in the continent, the efforts to nip the trend in the bud will remain fruitless.

She averred that “there should be a continental collaboration to tackle incidents of human trafficking in Africa. That other leaders in Africa should exert more political will and formulate policies aimed at crippling activities of human traffickers in the continent.

“That there should be convocation of an African conference on human trafficking principally to discuss issues concerning human trafficking and the plight of teeming youths of the continent.’’

Speaking on the milestones recorded by the agency, the NAPTIP boss said that the agency has so far secured the conviction of about 408 persons, adding that many cases are still pending in courts and investigation of many still on-going.

She added that out of the 16, 000 trafficked victims that passed through NAPTIP shelters, the agency has trained some of them from higher institution of learning and that four out of such survivors are now staff of the agency.

“Over 16, 000 victims passed through the NAPTIP shelters. They were given psychosocial support, provided skills, education and medical support as well as empowerment and reintegrated to their families and society.

“NAPTIP has become a training ground for other countries including, European countries to learn good practices in the fight against human trafficking as a number of them now send officials on study tour of NAPTIP with a view to establishing such an agency in their countries.

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“Recently, we concluded work with the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) on the infusion of trafficking in persons issues into the curricula of primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.

“The agency has commenced regional sensitization and awareness campaign within international borders and communities to curtail activities of traffickers at the various exit points,’’ she added.

The Liberian Head of delegation, Alvin Konjay said that they chose to come to Nigeria because they see her as the biggest platform where they can learn how to tackle issues of trafficking in persons.

‘’We want our government to step up in their fight against this endemic problem and that is the reason behind engaging our stakeholders at all level of government to visit NAPTIP for a way forward,’’ he added.