By Aderogba George
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has urged Nigerians to be empathetic to victims of human trafficking.
The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, made the call while speaking to newsmen after a 5.7 kilometre road walk to create more awareness about human trafficking in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the road walk was to mark the 2023 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, and also to commemorate NAPTIP @ 20 celebration which began on July 24.
The NAPTIP boss said that the theme of the 2023 World Day Against Human Trafficking – “Reach every victim of human trafficking, leave no one behind”, was to remind Nigerians that “we need to be empathetic to victims”.
She said that there was no need to be judgmental about these people, but to show solidarity and support to victims in whatever form Nigerians can offer.
She said that whenever she had conversations with people about the tragedy victims passed through, the victims were often blamed for whatever situation they faced, of which the D-G said, should not supposed to be so.
“I don’t think anyone will consent to be exploited; I don’t think anyone will consent to be trafficked.
“One of the mechanism traffickers use is deceit, they use lies, they defraud you, they paint a good picture far above honest.
“So, it is our responsibility to continue to inform ourselves, to continue to educate ourselves so that we can in turn educate others, when you see other people in exploitative situation, please report to NAPTIP.
“Don’t shy away from reporting; child labour in Nigeria is widespread, domestic servitude issues are widespread.
“Please when you see a child in an exploitative situation, don’t make that an exemption, please report,” she stressed.
Waziri-Azi pleaded with Nigerians to report any incident of trafficking and child labour issues they come across to the agency on 07030000203 and MTN short Code 627, as well as Email on “info.naptip.gov.ng” adding that the numbers runs 24 hours of the day.
In his remarks, the representative of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC), Mr Matthias Schmale, appreciated NAPTIP for all its effort in tackling the menace of trafficking in Nigeria.
According to him, human trafficking is a heinous activity that shackles freedom, tarnishes human dignity, and violates the UN’s fundamental principles.
He said that a 2022 report on human trafficking showed that 41 per cent of West African victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation and 57 per cent for forced labour.
Schmale said that Nigerians represented by far the highest number of identified victims of trafficking in West Africa.
He disclosed that the report also showed a significant decrease in the number of Nigerian victims being identified and rescued in Western countries, while witnessing a significant increase in West Africa, the Gulf, and Asia.
The UN representative stated that victims were now identified and rescued with greater efficiency and accuracy than ever before as a result of NAPTIP efforts
He noted that the theme of the 2023 World Day Against Human Trafficking was apt as a result of the central promise of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to leave no one behind.
According to him, we are now halfway to the 2030 deadline, and the promise is in peril, calling for urgent action as part of requirements to get the SDGs back on track.
He said that the UN relationship with Nigerian Government was evidenced by the collaboration with NAPTIP and other UN agencies including UNODC, IOM, UNHCR, and ILO, which he said had played vital roles in Nigeria system.
The Deputy Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drug and Crimes (UNODC), Mr Danilo Campisi, noted that human trafficking had economic consequences for any country, and that these must be avoided.
He said stated that the punishment currently in place for human traffickers was not enough, but however, appreciated NAPTIP for the role it had played in steming the tide.
Campisi said that no country can do it alone except with the cooperation and collaboration of others and stakeholders, hinting that a lot was still needed to be done to kill human trafficking in Nigeria.
Mr Abdulganiyu Abubakar, National President, Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), said that Nigeria was already on the path to curbing human trafficking in the country with the effort NAPTIP was putting on the job.
He, however, solicited for more funding to NAPTIP, and called on all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to begin to have anti-human trafficking activities as part of efforts to wage total war against the menace.
Abubakar also called on governments to address factors that pushed people into migration such as poverty, conflict and unrest.
NAN also reports that the event also featured match pass from human trafficking task forces from 32 states where NAPTIP has it Zonal Command offices. (NAN)