NAPTIP Says Nigerians Need Understanding of Human Traffickers’ Antics To Fight Crime

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has expressed concern that many Nigerians continue to be victims of human trafficking due to a lack of understanding about traffickers’ tactics and the nature of the crime.

Speaking at the 2024 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, which was commemorated in Abuja over the weekend with a novelty football match between female officers of NAPTIP and female partners of the agency, Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, Director-General of the anti-trafficking organisation, stated that sensitisation should not only be limited to the elderly but also to children to educate them on the various strategies and antics of human traffickers.

Waziri-Azi, who used the 2024 World Day against Trafficking in Persons to raise awareness among the public, stated that the goal is to leave no child behind in the fight against human trafficking.

She stated that the goal of the football game was to have fun while also using the same platform to raise awareness about human trafficking issues.

She stated, “We know that we often discuss human trafficking because children are also disproportionately affected. So it is up to us to remind the public and the rest of the world that victims of human trafficking, as well as those who traffic our people, must learn to show compassion. In addition to sensitisation, we should demonstrate solidarity.

She stated that NAPTIP remains Nigeria’s primary anti-human trafficking law enforcement agency, and that in carrying out its mission, a five-pronged strategic approach of prevention, protection, prosecution, partnership, and policy has evolved.

The head of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD),
Mojisola Sodeinde, for her part, stated, “It is a very important game. It is not about who won or lost. We all won because we have come together to hold an event in support of anti-trafficking efforts that the narrative has championed for decades.

“The ICMPD, as a partner not only in Nigeria but throughout the West African region with NAPTIP, has demonstrated its efforts today, as well as our partnership and the effort that we all put in to combat trafficking.

“This year, for ICMPD, we began a project with NAPTIP in five states–Benue, Edo, Ogun, Delta, and Enugu–where we are collaborating with school authorities and communities to continue NAPTIP and ICMPD’s advocacy efforts.

“Every year, we strive to improve on our previous year’s performance. So this year is better than last because we are doing more and better. We already have a lot of experience doing it.

“Unfortunately, traffickers are also on their side, developing new ways to perfect their trade. And we always have to catch up with them to learn about new approaches and tactics that they are using as partners.”