A non governmental organization (NGO) under the auspices of Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) has called on the Niger state government to support the establishment of child trafficking, abuse and labour so as to forestall the activities of traffickers in the state.
National President, NACTAL, Abdulganiyu Abubakar while making this call at a one day state wide dialogue on trafficking, abuse and labour, control trafficking, abuse and labour: how far, thus far in Niger state, said traffickers now take advantage of the vast landmass of the state to perpetuate their activities.
Accordingly, he said “Niger state is blessed with arable land, unfortunately, it serves as source/recruitment, transit route and even the new destination for traffickers who now receive trafficked victims in parts of the state.
“We have received reports of traffickers who now use Niger state as their route and we are working closely with the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Ministry of Justice, Police National Orientation Agency, Child Rights, Human Rights and even the media to ensure we clamp down the syndicates.
“Niger state became a concern to us because it is now a source, transit and destination for trafficking activities. We have reports of young boys and girls trafficked in and out of Niger. We have cases of children trafficked from other countries to Niger. All these take place because the traffickers now see Niger as a safe haven for their acts.”
Earlier, State Coordinator NACTAL, Olasunkanmi Kalejaiye while calling on the Director General National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) which is the Federal Government focal agency to establish an office in Niger, appealed to the state government to support the establishment of task force on Child trafficking, Abuse and Labour.
Accordingly, he said “this is a passionate appeal to our farmer Governor, Umaru Bago to create the enabling environment for NAPTIP to set up their office in the state so that we can achieve our aim of addressing this challenge.”
North Central Zonal Coordinator, Mrs Imaobong Sanusi during her presentation, said human traffic is a crime against humanity and offenders must be made to face the law.
She added that, for government to achieve results, it must upgrade policies, saying “for now, there is the need for the government to implement the policies and ensure we achieve results.”
