NAPTIP, UK AID restrategise to combat human trafficking, irregular migration

Migration
By Deborah Coker
Benin, March 2, 2020 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in conjunction with the UK Aid on Monday held a “Not for Sale” town/community dialogue with the Ikpoba-Okha community as part of efforts in combating irregular migration in the locality.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ikpoba-Okha community is one of the three and the most populated local government areas that makes up the Benin metropolis.

The Director General of NAPTIP, Mrs Julie Okah-Donli, in her opening remarks said that human trafficking was both a global and local problem, which needed to be tackled from the root.

Okah-Donli, who was represented by Mr Abdulrahim Shuaibu, Director, Legal and prosecution, NAPTIP, also said that many factors had been attributed to the prevalence of human trafficking.

She, however, said that irrespective of the factors, human trafficking and illegal migration was a scourge that should be discouraged and stopped.

She commended the partners and stakeholders on the fight against human trafficking and illegal migration, adding that the UK aid had done well in championing the “Not for Sale” campaign.

Earlier in her remarks, Mrs Ijeoma Uduak, the Zonal Commander, Benin zonal command said that the “Not for Sale” campaign was a UK cabinet project with NAPTIP.

Uduak explained that the project was focused on helping young women and men say “NO” to human trafficking, access economic opportunities in the country and not to sell themselves because of a dream that ends in pain.

She added that the issue of human trafficking and irregular migration in the country has become worrisome to transit as well as destination countries.

“NAPTIP as a focal government agency is therefore committed to the prevention of all forms of human degradation and exploitation,” she said.

She further said that the event was the launch of the second phase of the campaign in the locality.

In his goodwill message, Mr Buba Wakawa, Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), stressed the need for public sensitisation in defeating crimes in the society.

Wakawa, represented by the Mr Michele Ofoyeju, also said that the NDLEA was concerned about the fight against human trafficking because of the connection between human and drug trafficking.

Similarly, Ms Obehi Okpiabhele, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Genius Hub Global Initiative, the UK Aid local implementing partners, said the organisation was desirous of changing the present narrative about the Benin women.

She explained that the Benin woman was earlier seen as strong, hardworking, industrious and engaging in a legal and viable ventures.

Mrs Yinka Omorogbe, Attorney General and Commissioner for justice, who is also the chairman, Edo Taskforce against Human Trafficking, said that Ikpoba-Okha ranked highest in the state with number of persons who have travelled abroad for greener pasture.

She appealed to parents not to pressurise their children to travel abroad for greener pasture. (NAN)
DCO/ISMA
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz