The Federal Government of Nigeria has vowed to intensify its fight against human trafficking, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening policies and strategies aimed at eradicating the crime across the country.
Binta Bello, Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), made this declaration on Tuesday during a European Union (EU) Member States’ Immigration Liaison Officers (ILOs) meeting in Abuja. The event, hosted at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, was chaired by EU Ambassador-Designate Gautier Mignot.
Bello assured participants that NAPTIP will align its efforts with the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on enhanced strategies to combat all forms of human trafficking. “We are committed to intensifying our efforts in line with the National Action Plan, building on previous initiatives to root out human traffickers,” Bello said.
Key initiatives include the establishment of six victim support centers across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, improved identification and repatriation processes for trafficking victims, and enhanced cross-border cooperation. Bello also outlined plans for renovating existing shelters, expanding relations with neighboring countries, and strengthening NAPTIP’s capacity to handle emerging threats like cyber-trafficking.
The meeting aimed to foster closer collaboration between NAPTIP and EU member states, offering a platform to discuss future priorities and strategies in tackling human trafficking. Bello emphasized that the agency’s success hinges on partnerships with stakeholders and called for continued support from the EU and its members.
In his remarks, Ambassador Mignot praised NAPTIP’s accomplishments and reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting global anti-trafficking efforts, noting that combating human trafficking requires a unified approach.
The meeting concluded with an interactive session where participants exchanged insights on NAPTIP’s operations and the broader efforts to curb trafficking. The EU ILOs, experts in migration and trafficking issues, will continue to serve as key contacts for EU embassies in Nigeria.
