The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged the Federal Government to declare total war on human trafficking, stressing the need for a united and coordinated national response to end the menace.
Dabiri-Erewa made the call during a strategic meeting with the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Hajia Binta Adamu Bello, held at NiDCOM Headquarters in Abuja.
While acknowledging ongoing efforts, she emphasized that more must be done, including naming and shaming traffickers and imposing stricter penalties to serve as a deterrent.
“NAPTIP cannot do it alone,” she noted. “We need stronger collaboration among NiDCOM, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), and other sister agencies.”
She also called for more flexible policy frameworks and increased funding to empower NAPTIP to carry out its mandate effectively.
Dabiri-Erewa appreciated the support of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), neighbouring countries, the Nigerian diaspora, Wema Bank, and NGOs involved in the rescue and reintegration of trafficking victims.
Commending the dedication of NAPTIP’s leadership, she pledged NiDCOM’s continued support, stating:
“We will continue to do our best to save these young ones and encourage safe and regular pathways for migration.”
In her response, Hajia Binta Bello thanked NiDCOM for its support, particularly in the recent rescue of 231 young Nigerians from Ghana.
She emphasized the need for increased awareness at all levels of society and revealed that NAPTIP recently rescued 19 pregnant girls from an estate in Abuja, and received 9 others trafficked from Côte d’Ivoire.
The NAPTIP boss reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of Nigerians and strengthening collaboration with NiDCOM in the fight against human trafficking.
