The Federal Government’s fight against human trafficking, spearheaded by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has gained substantial support through a new partnership to rehabilitate 10 Nigerian girls recently rescued from Ghana.
According to a statement by NAPTIP’s Communications Officer, Adekoye Vincent, on Monday, plans have been solidified between the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the agency for the long-term rehabilitation of these victims and others.
This partnership was a result of the visit by the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, to NAPTIP’s headquarters following reports of Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana for sexual exploitation.
After the meeting, NAPTIP Director General, Prof. Fatima Waziri–Azi, Ph.D, expressed gratitude to the minister for her visit and support in the ongoing fight against human trafficking. She highlighted the agency’s proactive and strategic efforts, which have led to the conviction of 29 human traffickers so far in 2024, 67 in 2023, 80 in 2022, and a total of 670 since the agency’s inception. NAPTIP has also rescued over 23,000 victims.
Prof. Fatima Waziri–Azi said, “Even though the Government has a major role in tackling human trafficking, communities and families have an even greater role in tackling these issues. Regarding the girls in Ghana, we are in touch with the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Unit. The girls have been rescued and are safe. The perpetrator has been arrested, and I am also in contact with Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM). I am very delighted by the Honourable Minister’s visit this morning. From our conversation, we will approach this issue more strategically, in terms of prevention. Prevention is better than cure.”
She added, “I also want to emphasise to parents and young people, that there is no free lunch anywhere. If it is free, then, you are definitely the product. We know that everyone desires a better life, but wanting a better life does not mean you should not be discerning. When somebody comes and offers you Eldorado, please ask questions.”
Speaking also, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, commended NAPTIP for its visible impact in tackling human trafficking in Nigeria, and promised to join hands with the agency for sustained rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking through the existing empowerment scheme that has been established by the ministry.
The minister said, “I came here to see my sister concerning the issue of the Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana. We will join hands with NAPTIP to empower them, give them skills or send them to school”.
The minister also announced plans to launch extensive advocacy efforts involving various stakeholders, such as operators of commercial transport companies, the aviation sector, the marine sector, and a wide range of parents across the country.
She emphasized that parents and transport operators would be held accountable if found complicit in child trafficking.
She called for the support and cooperation of all Nigerians to address and combat human trafficking in the country.