The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Defence Headquarters are to partner in the fight against human trafficking. This partnership would be in the areas of training of NAPTIP personnel in relevant tactical areas, joint actions and logistics amongst others.
This was the crux of discussions when the Director-General, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim paid a courtesy visit on the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Leo Irabor recently at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
The Director-General had at the meeting requested greater partnership from the Armed Forces in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria especially with the rate of insecurity in the country.
‘’Human Trafficking has become a huge Security problem to the global community including Nigeria and if we do not properly harness our efforts in fighting it, we will not be able to deal with the problem adequately’’, she stated, adding that Nigeria which has always been a champion in Africa in the fight against human trafficking must do everything possible to win the war.
She also stressed the need for the Armed forces and other Law Enforcement Agencies to see human trafficking as a big national security problem just like illicit drugs and proliferation of Arms and pay proper attention to such issues in the course of their operations.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim therefore called for better synergy between the Agency and the Armed Forces to deal with the problem.
In his response, the Chief of Defence Staff who explained that human trafficking goes hand in hand with other organised crimes stated that the new slavery must be properly situated as a very serious crime within the nation’s defence and security plans to be adequately dealt with. ‘’All efforts must be taken to support NAPTIP”, he said.
He however, pledged that the Defence Headquarters would partner with the Agency in various areas including training of personnel in relevant tactical areas, joint operations when needed and other logistics support. When we join in strengthening NAPTIP and the fight against human trafficking, it will help in our efforts to secure Nigeria’’, he further added.
He also pledged to support the efforts of the Federal Government in the fight against human trafficking by reducing the rate of vulnerability in the country through recruitment of young people into the Armed Forces whenever the opportunity comes.
He however, commended the Director-General for her efforts towards galvanising support and collaboration in the counter trafficking efforts of the present administration.
Stella Nezan
Head, Press and Public Relations
