The 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2013 designated July 30 as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of trafficking victims and promoting their rights and well-being. Since then, countries worldwide, including Nigeria, have taken robust actions to commemorate the day.
By Aderogba George
In 2024, the theme for World Day Against Trafficking was “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking,” underscoring the urgency to end child trafficking. Globally, children are disproportionately affected, with girls making up a significant proportion of trafficking victims. A 2022 report by the International Organisation for Migration, Internal Labour Organisation, and Walk Free Foundation estimated that 50 million people were victims of modern slavery on any given day in 2021, with 27.6 million in forced labor and 22 million in forced marriages.
Nigeria is a significant contributor to these alarming figures, with an estimated 750,000 to 1,000,000 victims trafficked annually, according to the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crimes. Many Nigerians, including house helps and young married women, are trafficked both locally and abroad, exploited for forced labor and sexual exploitation.
In response, the Federal Government established the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) through the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2003. NAPTIP, under the leadership of Director-General Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, has initiated and implemented numerous programs to curb human trafficking within and from Nigeria.
NAPTIP has pursued a four-point strategy: enhanced prosecution and convictions of high-profile traffickers, sustainable evidence-based rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors, increased awareness and sensitization, and increased visibility of the agency and its partners. The agency has secured 677 convictions, including 36 in 2024 alone, and has extradited high-profile traffickers to countries like Italy and Belgium, showcasing the power of international cooperation in combating human trafficking.
Moreover, NAPTIP has rescued and rehabilitated over 24,000 victims, empowering many with life skills and even employing some within the agency. The agency has also scaled up its sensitization and awareness programs, particularly at the community level, and has partnered with international bodies like the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) to enhance awareness in secondary schools.
However, stakeholders, including Mr. Ikape James of the Media Coalition and Awareness to Halt Trafficking and Prof. Joy Ezeilo, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, argue that more concerted efforts are needed. Public enlightenment, early warning mechanisms, and addressing root causes such as social inequalities, unemployment, and illiteracy are crucial to overcoming the menace of human trafficking.
To win this fight, Nigeria must engage the next gear. Authorities should prioritize removing obstacles that hinder the successful prosecution of human trafficking suspects and address the root causes of trafficking. This will ensure that every child, every victim, is protected from the horrors of trafficking and given the chance to live a life of dignity.
NANFeatures
