………IT IS A MAJOR ONSLAUGHT ON HUMAN TRAFFICKERS …..SAYS NAPTIP
DG
The Federal Government of Nigeria has recorded another feat in its renewed
determination to tackle issues of human trafficking with the active
involvement of neighboring Countries, as it signs a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Government of Burkina Faso to prevent, suppress and
punish trafficking in persons especially women and children.
The legal instrument designed to unleash intense heat on human traffickers
and their cohort operating within the corridors of the two Countries was
signed in Abuja at the climax of the 3 rd Nigeria /Burkina Faso Joint Commission
held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja and was witnessed by an array of
dignitaries from both Counties including the Director General of the National
Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Dr Fatima Waziri
– Azi.
The development came few weeks after similar agreement was signed
between Nigeria and the Government of the Republic of Niger.
The MOU stated that “ CONCERNED with the magnitude and menace of
human trafficking especially in women and children in both countries and its
negative socio-economic impact on the wellbeing of their citizenry;
“RE-AFFIRMING that the commitment and obligations of both parties to the
implementation of the ECOWAS plan of Action Against Trafficking in persons
2002-2003 and the following ratified international Legal instruments:
“REALIZING that the fight against human trafficking especially women and
children across borders can efficiently and effectively be fought only if the
country of origin, transit and destination countries adopt a common
comprehensive approach;
“DETERMINED to mobilize necessary efforts and resources to punish all those
engaged in human trafficking especially in women and children by prosecuting
their crimes wherever they occur by co-operating at the international level;
“CONSCIOUS of the fundamental principle of the best interest of the child and
the need to assist the victims of human trafficking, especially women and
children.”
The well drafted legal instrument contained a total of 18 articles among which
are the Definition of Human trafficking with all the elements, Prosecution of
offenders, Communication, Identifications, Protection and Care of Victims of
human trafficking, Return, Repatriation of Proceeds of the Crime as well as
Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Victims.
In his speech, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gabriel
Tanimu Aduda, stated that the agreement was part of the Federal Government
of Nigeria effort to enhance mutual cooperation and strengthen relationship
between the two Countries.
He assured stakeholders that the contents of the Memorandum of
Understanding will be fully implemented in line with the approved procedures.
Also in her speech, the Director General of the Burkina Faso Bilateral
Cooperation, Mrs. Bakyonon Kanzie, thanked the Federal Government of
Nigeria for the agreement saying the her Country shall implement all aspects of
the agreement to the benefits of Nigeria and Burkina Faso.
While the Nigeria Ambassador to Burkina Faso, His Excellency, Mistura
Abdukarheem signed on behalf of Nigeria, the Burkina Faso Ambassador to
Nigeria, His Excellency, Piabie Firmin N’DO signed un behalf of the Burkina Faso
Government.
In her reaction, Director General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri – Azi who was
visibly elated by the development said the MOU remains a major onslaught on
the activities of human traffickers not only within the routes of the two
Countries, but the entire West African sub-region.
The NAPTIP boss whose strategic focus of operation aligned with the articles
of the MOU thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of
Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya
Sadiq Umar Farouk, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and other State and Non –
State Actors for the clear demonstration of political will to tackle incidence of
Human Trafficking as exemplified through the signing of the MOU and assured
that NAPTIP shall continue to work assiduously to fulfil its mandates of
combating human trafficking and all forms of violence against persons in the
Country.
Bilateral Agreement was also signed in the areas of Sports development, Trade
and Investment, Information and Media, ICT as well as Women Development.
Adekoye Vincent
Press Officer, NAPTIP
12 th December 2021
