Nigeria, Niger Republic sign anti-human trafficking pact

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and its Niger Republic counterpart have signed a pact to eliminate the menace in both countries.

NAN reports that NAPTIP signed the agreement with Nigerien Agency Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (ANLTP/TIM) at a dinner event on Thursday in Abuja.

In a communiqué signed by heads of both agencies, Nigeria and Niger agreed to work together to stamp out the evil of human trafficking from both countries.

Julie Okah-Donli, director general of NAPTIP, signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Goge Maimouna Gazbo, her Nigerien counterpart, signed for her country.

Among agreements in the communiqué are finalisation and signing of a memorandum of understanding on the collaboration and organisation of joint sensitisation across border communities of both countries.

Both agencies also agreed to establish a joint technical working group to work together in the area of investigation and training of counsellors and social workers on how to deal with trafficked victims, amongst others.

Speaking at the event, the NAPTIP DG expressed confidence that the collaboration would achieve positive result.

“I believe that going forward, we have developed strategies for more successful approaches to stemming the tide of human trafficking from our countries,” said Okah-Donli.

“This strong collaboration and partnership by both countries in the fight against human trafficking promises to be very effective and mutually rewarding.”

She thanked the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) for facilitating the event.

Gazbo also expressed confidence in the effectiveness of the partnership.

The high point of the event was award presentation to both Okah- Donli and Maimouna Gazbo by the ICMPD, represented by Moji Sodeinde.

NAN reports that officials of the Nigerien anti-human trafficking agency have been in Nigeria for the past one week to work out cooperation and collaboration terms with NAPTIP.

NAPTIP had earlier on Thursday unveiled an anti-human trafficking module to be introduced into basic and senior secondary school curricular.