The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is set to partner with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to curb human trafficking eating deep in the country.
The Director-General, NAPTIP, Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, made this known in a courtesy visit at NiDCOM headquarters in Abuja.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said that human trafficking is now the modern-day cankerworm as it is the second largest illegal market churning out about $150 billion dollars annually.
She said that if this is not nip in the bud, it poses serious threat to national security.
According to her, 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.
“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.
The NAPTIP Boss added that 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.
Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim also announced plans to incorporate all States Diaspora focal persons into NAPTIP task force in all states of the federation.
She listed her vision for the organisation to include: engagement with State Diaspora Focal Point Officers, restrategise preventive mechanisms towards discouraging human trafficking, enforcement of Child Right Act and the name-and-shame policy, actualise a Trafficking Trust Fund, among others.
Responding, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended the NAPTIP boss for her plans to incorporate State diaspora Focal Point officers into NAPTIP Task Force in the various states .
She commended 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.
