Nigeria’s Government Pledges To Redouble Efforts To Combat Human Trafficking

The federal government has pledged to step up its efforts, strategies, and policy implementation to combat all forms of human trafficking in the country.

Binta Bello, Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), made the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking at the European Union (EU) Member States’ Immigration Liaison Officers (ILOs) meeting, which was held at the premises of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS.

She stated that the Federal Government of Nigeria, through NAPTIP, will continue to increase its efforts, strategies, and policy implementation following the priorities of the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to combat all forms of human trafficking in the country.

The EU Ambassador-Designate, Gautier Mignot, presided over the meeting, which was attended by Liaison Officers from all EU Member States.

The meeting’s main goal was to strengthen the agency’s existing good cooperation with NAPTIP and allow it to exchange ideas directly with EU Member States on human trafficking issues, as well as to highlight NAPTIP’s future priorities.

Addressing the participants, the Director General stated that her administration will build on her predecessors’ existing policies and counter-trafficking programs. She also informed the EU Member States that she would deepen actions and do more in line with Nigeria’s National Action Policy on Human Trafficking to drive out human traffickers.

The NAPTIP boss stated, “We will do more in line with the National Action Plan (NAP) in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria, tying it to the current administration’s priorities and the Renewed Hope Agenda. More focus would be placed on the following areas:

“Developing a more efficient and cooperative system for the identification and return of trafficking victims in EU countries; Improved relationships with partners;
“The construction of six (6) Victims Support Centres (shelters with skill acquisition facilities), one in each of the country’s six geopolitical zones, for returned and rescued victims of trafficking to ensure their maximum rehabilitation, recovery, and reintegration into society.”

“Renovation and provision of equipment for existing shelters; Conducting joint cross-border operations targeting trafficking routes; expanding corporations with neighbouring countries; Capacity building of personnel, particularly investigators and intelligence officers; counsellors and care providers; and prosecutors;

“Increase the technological capacity for tracking and analysing trafficking data and forensics. Improve NAPTIP’s ability to respond to emerging threats such as cyber-trafficking and the use of digital platforms for recruitment and exploitation.

“Developing a common front to prevent, fight, and suppress human trafficking, particularly in women and children, through impactful and evidence-based awareness campaigns; Promoting friendly cooperation among parties to achieve streamlined Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA), end-to-end investigation, prosecution of traffickers, and asset recovery.

“Improved research activities focused on combating human trafficking; Evacuation of Nigerian victims of trafficking trapped in different countries who want to return home.”

She did, however, point out that all of this, and much more, can only be accomplished through collaborative efforts and partnerships between the agency and its stakeholders and partners.

She stated: “I am confident that members of the European Union, particularly the ILO gathered here, will help me complete the task. My doors will always be open to you because we need each other to get the job done.

The Director General acknowledged the tremendous support that Nigeria received through NAPTIP from the European Union as a body as well as the various Member States in the course of the counter-trafficking efforts, adding that the projects have impacted positively the realisation of the Agency’s mandates, especially in rescue and support to victims of trafficking; capacity development of officers; various prevention activities; and partnership with Civil Society organisations.

In his remarks, EU Ambassador-Designate Gautier Mignot praised the Director General for the agency’s modest achievements, noting that the fight against human trafficking is a global priority that requires the support and cooperation of all stakeholders.

The meeting’s highlight was an interactive session in which all participants sought clarification on NAPTIP’s operations and activities.

Immigration Liaison Officers are the EU Member States’ migration experts and the first point of contact for EU Embassies in cases of human trafficking and migrant smuggling.