International Agency, NAPTIP Unite In The War Against Human Trafficking

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have called for more collaborative efforts to combat human trafficking in Nigeria.

They made the call during the official handover of the Countering Human Trafficking Office in Lagos.

NAPTIP director-general Fatima Waziri-Azi said the project was crucial because Lagos had always been a transit and destination for internal and external trafficking.

Lagos’ attorney general Lawal Pedro said the project marked a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to combat human trafficking.

Mr Pedro, the chairperson of the Lagos State Task Force on Human Trafficking, said the collaborative effort was aimed at creating an enabling environment that enhanced rescue, referral and reporting between NAPTIP, the task force and LNSA.

“The establishment of this office facilitates easier reporting, creating a platform for both victims and non-victims to come forward with crucial information,” he said.

Danilo Campisi, deputy country representative for UNODC, said the organisation had supported different levels of intervention for various states’ task forces on human trafficking.

U.S. consul general Will Stevens said the establishment of the office was critical in strengthening Nigeria’s response to human trafficking.