UN, NAPTIP, ECOWAS Commit To Human Trafficking-free Nigeria

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Nigeria, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the European Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have pledged commitment to a Nigeria-free of human trafficking with the stringent implementation of enabling anti-trafficking laws.

The bodies are some stakeholders who gathered in Abuja for the 1st policy-level meeting on human trafficking in Nigeria. The gathering is part of the project “From Policy to Action: Implementation of the National Action Plan on Human Trafficking in Nigeria (2022-2026),” funded by the Swiss government and jointly executed by NAPTIP and UNODC.

Director-general of NAPTIP Binta Adamu Bello described the current spate of human trafficking as a grave violation of human rights, threatening the very fabric of Nigerian society. She said combating the scourge requires a coordinated response that brings together all arms of government, law enforcement agencies, international partners, civil society organisations and the general public.

“We will ensure that our coordination remains robust and adaptive to the evolving nature of trafficking crimes,” Bello stated yesterday at the event in Abuja Continental Hotel. “Collection, analysis and reporting of reliable, sufficient and up-to-date data is needed to better prevent and combat this crime and its complex and ever-evolving dynamics.”

The NAPTIP DG said her office is now adopting a bottom-up approach to identify and track traffickers at the grassroots for effective prevention and prosecution. NAPTIP is now engaging the 774 local government areas.

The conference was organised to review reports on counter-human trafficking efforts from government agencies, identify priority actions for 2025, and engage in interactive sessions to gather valuable feedback.

Deputy country representative of UNODC Nigeria, Danilo Campiso who said a human trafficking-free Nigeria is possible, stressed the need for collaboration for effective implementation. “I want to emphasise that the success of this project and the full implementation of the NAP depend on strong coordination, commitment, and the collaborative spirit that unites us today. Together, we can make significant strides toward eradicating human trafficking in Nigeria and safeguarding the rights and dignity of every individual,” he stated.

He said all hands must be on deck for a safe continent for women and children to live and achieve their potential.

On its part, Switzerland said, “Nigeria free from human trafficking is our ultimate goal.”

A representative of the United States government said it is critically important that the different organisations and agencies, look at the complex system of human trafficking and “look at where we can make a meaningful impact. So when we move from policy to action, those actions are influencing this complex system in a positive way that meets all of our shared goals.”

NAPTIP is the custodian of the protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially of women and children.