The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has said, as part of efforts to increase the fight against human trafficking, had inaugurated task forces in 14 states of the country.
Director General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli stated this in her address at the training for members of the task forces in Ondo and Ekiti States on Friday in Akure.
Okah-Donli said the 14 task forces were in conjunction with State Governments with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and International Organization for Migration (IOM).
She said plans were in progress to create same task forces in the remaining states in Nigeria.
“This is a commendable feat bearing in mind the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic at this time.
“The strategic importance of the State Task Forces on human trafficking cannot be over emphasised in harnessing counter trafficking efforts at the sub-national level, creating important synergies in the fight against human trafficking in the country.
“Ensuring adequate sensitisation at the grassroots and among vulnerable groups, providing services and support to victims who have been rescued and returned, as well as information sharing and law enforcement.
“To achieve these objectives would require concerted efforts on the part of the NAPTIP and State Governments, in addition to the commitment of Traditional Institutions, religious and Community Leaders,” she said.
The Solicitor General of Ondo State, Mr Cyril Akinrinsola,who spoke on behalf of the state government said the state government would continue to work with NAPTIP in the fight against human trafficking.
Akinrinsola said that NAPTIP was a child of necessity to complement efforts of relevant security agencies.
“We will continue to use our good offices to collaborate with NAPTIP as the state and country cannot lag behind in the fight against human trafficking,” he said
Also, Representative of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mr Oliver Stopped commended NAPTIP for the creation of the task forces in fighting human trafficking in the country.
