The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Dame Julie Okah-Donli, has charged states in Nigeria to emulate the Edo State Government’s strategy in addressing human trafficking by setting up a well-equipped taskforce against the menace.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the Edo State Governor in Government House, Benin City, Dame Okah-Donli said that Governor Godwin Obaseki has mustered the political will to fight the menace decisively in line with an initiative developed between 2004 and 2007 by the agency and United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).
According to her, “NAPTIP is delighted at Your Excellency’s drive and commitment to the eradication of Human Trafficking as illustrated by the setting up of the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT) on 15th August 2017 and the decision of the 45th National Economic Council (NEC) Meeting held on 24th January 2013, that states should support NAPTIP’s activities in order to strengthen the National Response to Human Trafficking at the sub-national level.”
She said the success recorded by the state so far has inspired NAPTIP to encourage other state governments to set up similar task forces in order to consolidate the efforts of NAPTIP and other stakeholders, noting, “My interaction with the ETAHT and the training session have no doubt further deepened the understanding and cooperation between NAPTIP and the Edo State Government.”
On his part, Governor Obaseki said that the state government is partnering with NAPTIP to reduce the incidence of human trafficking in the state.
He urged donor agencies to support the state in reintegrating and providing shelter for returnees.
“We are working to pressure foreign government to create legitimate travel windows that will enable them travel legally,” Obaseki said.
