… As Experts proffer solutions to menace of human trafficking in Nigeria
By Ikenwa Charity
In a bid to address the scourge of human trafficking, the Board of Trustees of Epiphany Azinge Foundation in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and National Agency For The Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has organized the 2023 Annual Colloquium: Titled ‘Modern Day Slavery’.
Giving insights on the 2023 Annual Colloquium, His Excellency Judge (Prof) Epiphany Azinge, SAN, pointed out that the foundation is known for its advocacy programmes, which he said promotes the undertaking of legal research, scholarships, lectures on legal matters, promote academic values, educational advancement, discover and fund children with special talent amongst others.
Prof Azinge, the Founder and Convener of the Epiphany Azinge Foundation, who is also the President of the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal London, welcomed and appreciated all Speakers and participants while wishing for a fruitful deliberation.
Speaking at the event, Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi said inadequate funding, corruption within the law enforcement agencies and complicity with traffickers undermine efforts towards combating this menace effectively.
In her keynote address, Prof. Waziri-Azi addressed the challenges of combating human trafficking in Nigeria challenges and solutions. She highlighted the infiltration of traffickers and proposed solutions while emphasizing the need for collective action.
“To illustrate the urgency and gravity of human Trafficking, a father came to NAPTIP headquarters seeking assistance in rescuing his daughter who had been trafficked to Ghana.
“Abigail was lured by someone on Instagram who convinced her to become a model in Ghana, which turned out to be false as she was forced into prostitution. Her parents were unaware of her whereabout until she contacted them with the help of Ghanaian authorities, Abigail was rescued, repatriated back to Nigeria and reconciled with her parents.
“This story highlights how human trafficking has evolved over the last five years, targeting not just young people from rural areas and urban poor communities both online and offline,” Waziri-Azi recounted.
The DG NAPTIP stated that Human trafficking is not just a crime but also a tragic thing that preys upon humanity’s biggest cost for generations.
“Nigeria is not exempted from this global epidemic as it affects millions of people across the world with an estimated 1.6 million living in modern slavery within Nigeria alone.
“To further understand the enormity of the different trends and patterns of human trafficking in Nigeria. Let me share our data dashboard for 2022. So, in 2022, we received 1,464 reports, which was a 31.9% increase from 2021. Out of the total talking about reports, 412 were external trafficking reports and 1050 were internal trafficking reports. In terms of prosecution, its conditions were secured in 2022, the highest in a single year since the inception of NAPTIP.
“So far in 2023, we have secured 80 convictions and counting and cumulatively the agency has secured 636 convictions in 20 years,” she said.
Prof. Waziri pointed out that Benue State has the highest number of rescued victims followed by Ondo, Edo, Delta, Kano, and Imo adding that the victims are mostly the poor and vulnerable people.
She stressed that inadequate funding, corruption within the law enforcement agencies complicity with traffickers undermine efforts towards combating this menace effectively.
Speaking on ways the menace can be tackled comprehensively, Prof Waziri said it will require concerted efforts from government agencies, enforcing laws against human trafficking, Civil Societies, NGOs, adoption of Anti Trafficking Measures by private sectors, Amendment through specialized training, avoid use of force child labor, domestics servitude, mentoring, and social-politically awareness, reporting challenges that require continuous review etc.
On the survivors of human trafficking, she said it requires physical safety along with cyber, social, legal assistance during their rehabilitation process where bilateral, multilateral partnerships play an essential role due to the transnational nature.
“Combating human trafficking requires everyone’s commitment towards taking minimal actions such as supporting organizations working tirelessly against it by advocating policy changes, protecting vulnerable groups, volunteering time, becoming vigilant, educating others about human trafficking/sharing information about it on social media, reports if suspecting any case.
“Our individual actions can make profound impacts when combined towards eradicating human trafficking globally and helping survivors redeem their lives towards freedom, dignity, hope, restoration of dignity,” Waziri-Azi said.
On her part, the Special Guest of Honour, Hon. IMAAN Suleiman Ibrahim, the Honourable Minister of State, Ministry of Police Affairs said that trafficking happens in various homes as fathers exploit their daughters.
She urged that while migration is inevitable preventive measures have to be put in place to ensure that people move for the right reasons.
Speaking also, the immediate past Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasonye SAN stated that the interconnection between the smuggling of migrants and related crimes is a matter that each department strives to address with great care.
He explained that people who fall victim in an attempt to break out from the current situation do not even know what they are going to do upon arriving at their destination.
According to him, the perpetrators of the migrants (Japa) Syndrome leads the victims into complex cases of sexual trafficking where body parts such as fingernails and pubic hair are collected and tied up with rocks while invocations are pronounced over them.
Prof. Bolaji added that while recruitment strategies employed by traffickers may be sophisticated, psychological trauma may require matching with psychology in order for deliverance techniques to be effective – though further research would need to be conducted regarding this approach’s efficacy.
“To break the deadlock surrounding compassion towards victims versus prosecution of criminals involved in human trafficking rings requires advocacy efforts aimed at convincing members within these communities that they are recognized primarily as victims rather than criminals themselves,” Bolaji said.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, who is the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission noted that the prevalence of modern slavery is increasing due to Nigeria’s high poverty levels and lack of economic opportunities, which affects the dignity of individuals.
The NHRC Boss who stated that the national surveys revealed that human rights violations and abuses are complex and multifaceted added that the rise in conflict and insecurity has contributed to an increase in modern-day slavery because many people are displaced from their homes, making them vulnerable to exploitation as they flee from their habitual residences or activities.
He maintained that various practices like forced child labor, domestic services, mining, agriculture hiring practices, slave trade and all forms of exploitation resulting in degrading treatment should not occur among humans.
Ojukwu said called for united energy and recovery efforts to ensure Nigeria is brought back to stable state.
Other experts who spoke in the event including Bar Eric Ibeh, Bar Ngozi Ezekika, Dr. Victor Odeme, Mrs Lily Okech-Appiah called for an end to modern day slavery.
The colloquium which held at the Umar Musa Yar’Adua centre, Abuja, on Monday ,13th November was attended by Senator Peter Nwauboshi, Benedict Agu, Emeka Mbaneme, Bar Paul Idonije SAN, Chief Tony Mokolwu, Sir Dominic Offor, Sir Okechukwu, Bar. Ogechi Abu, and Ozioma Izuora.
Other dignitaries present at the event were members of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies NIALS; members of Knight of St John; Ahaba Community; Members of Azinge Dynasty; KIA Lakeside Academy; Baby Love School; Royal Family Academy; Veritas University and Pace Setters College.
The high point of the day’s events was undoubtedly H.E Judge (Prof) Epiphany Azinge PhD SAN’s birthday commemoration which left guests feeling thoroughly entertained.
Portfolio Media Activities Limited Publisher of Public Square Magazine was on hand to capture every moment for posterity.
