From Olukayode Idowu, Abuja
Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has raised the alarm that human trafficking is modern-day cankerworm with the second largest illegal market churning out about $150 billion dollars annually and threat to national security.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim raised the alarm in Abuja during a brainstorming session with Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
The two Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) have met to brainstorm on how to curb the modern-day slavery, human trafficking.
The NAPTIP DG said that human trafficking is modern-day cankerworm and it is the second largest illegal market churning out about $150 billion dollars annually and this poses serious threat to national security.
According to the NAPTIP Boss, the Agency is the forerunner in the fight against human trafficking in Africa, emphasising that NAPTIP and NiDCOM have been joined together as Siamese twins in the fight against all forms of human trafficking especially in the Diaspora.
She said: “I thank you Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for your giant strides and for sometimes utilising your personal resources, as well as, your office to rescue Nigerians stranded abroad.”
She said after 17 years of NAPTIP’s establishment, there was a need to rebrand the agency, thereby ushering fresh ideas to catalyse the vision of NAPTIP and seeking partnership among strategic partners like NIDCOM.
She also announced plans to incorporate all States Diaspora focal persons into NAPTIP task force in all states of the federation.
She highlighted her vision for the organisation to include: engagement with State Diapora Focal Point Officers, restrategize preventive mechanisms towards discouraging human trafficking, enforcement of Child Right Act and the name-and-shame policy, actualize a Trafficking Trust Fund, among others.
The NIDCOM Boss, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended her for her plans to incorporate State diaspora focal point officers into NAPTIP task force in the various states .
She also praised her various initiatives and vision for NAPTIP, and promised to enhanced further collaboration with her in every possible way.
She noted the imperative of arresting traffickers and ensuring they face penalties for their crimes.
