Benue Tops Human Trafficking List In Nigeria For 3 Consecutive Years – NAPTIP
•By Our Reporter
MAKURDI – Gloria Bai, Benue State Commander, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has said the figures of trafficked persons from Benue was on the rise, annually.
Also giving credence to the report, the Director General (DG), Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Leo-Angelo Viashima, who observed that the international alert on abuses and child trafficking in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), in the state was alarming, pointed out the issues of sexual exploitation were also staggering.
But the NAPTIP Commander who painted a gloomy picture of the future of victims of traffickers, including, children, noted that Benue tops the list of states engaged in child trafficking and has maintained the top position for a consecutive three years in Nigeria.
While Bai, who is the Co-Chair of Operation Save the Benue Child (OSBC), stated the need to change the narrative, she explained that the Taskforce on Human Trafficking, which was inaugurated in February, 2021, has been working hard to curb issues of human trafficking in the state.
She pointed out that OSBC is a project that would involve all stakeholders, even as she observed that the Taskforce was working out a strategy that would curb issues of child trafficking, child labour, rape and incest among others.
Bai who stated this in her remarks at the ceremony to inaugurated OSBC in Makurdi last weekend said, “Our reports have shown that the issues are really rising; some are aware, while some are not aware (of the issues) and we also saw the gaps; one which is the prevention aspect, the awareness creation and the need to have all other actors on board to fight human trafficking.
“NAPTIP has observed that the numbers are rising in Benue. It doesn’t look good; Benue has been on the top for three consecutive years and that doesn’t look good. So I felt that we need to do something that will make Benue be seen in a different light.
“So, we swung into action and came up with the idea of OSBC. This project is to primarily mobilise stakeholders from various sectors to collaborate effectively in combating child trafficking, rape and other related vices by foisting a multifaceted approach, in order to creat a safe environment for the youth of Benue state.
“For me prosecution is key and one of the fastest prosecution we got was the lady that trafficked the Cote D’Ivoire girls; she was arraigned that day and she took her plea and was sentenced that day. And it gives us joy that if the judiciary is enhanced to ensure fast legal actions, it will serve as a deterrent to others.
“The OSBC is a project that would ensure all stakeholders are involved. We are looking at it as a strategic plan for Benue state to curb all issues regarding child trafficking, child labour, rape, incest and all that. And you know that the VAPP law has been domesticated in Benue, but implementation had some challenges, so we need to see actual implementation of the VAPP law”, she charged.
Meanwhile, the DG), BICD, Leo-Angelo Viashima, said, who insisted that the figures of abuse and child trafficking were alarming, assured that the state government was working towards ensuring that before the end of the third quarter (July, August and September) every outstanding policy that has to do with child’s rights would be signed into law.
He said, “His Excellency is giving that Committee (Operation Save the Benue Child), a timeline, so while the Attorney General is working to expedite action on this particular policy of child trafficking and trafficking law to go first.
“But we know that overall no matter what, before the end of this quarter every outstanding policy in this state, that has justification and have gone through the review and has no reason to go back will be signed into law.
“The micro level implication of not having this policy in place for us is quiet significant; the state for us as it were frowns at these vices, if they exist and because they do, we frown at them.
“The MSF report on child trafficking and sexual exploitation in our IDP camps is staggering. The international alert for abuse in our camps and of course child trafficking is also very alarming. Now, I cannot wish them away, but in a way we also align with some of those in the speeches we heard today.
“So, it is good that we all put our heads together and see how we can work on that as much as we can. We will forever be together against trafficking”, he assured.
