The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has launched an app called iReport that allows people to report cases of human trafficking in the country. Citizens will be able to alert authorities on human trafficking incidents, NAPTIP said in a statement. Mrs. Okah-Donli, the Director-General of the agency, said the development is to prompt reportage of issues relating to human trafficking as well as increase the participation and interaction of the general public in human trafficking matters.
Nigeria is top among African countries where thousands of women and children are trafficked illegally to destinations abroad especially in Europe.
It is reported that around eighty percent of all women and girls arriving from Nigeria to Europe are potential victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation, the group estimates, noting that exploitation of younger girls is on the rise. The International Organization for Migration said around 11,000 women and 3,000 children who arrived by sea in Italy in 2016 were from Nigeria. Celebrating the 2018 World Day Against Human Trafficking and the 15 years of existence of the agency, the official said the media has become a formidable partner with unwavering commitment “as far as the fight against human trafficking is concerned”.
Traffickers are “inhuman and barbaric,” and when caught the ultimate punishment should face prosecution, Okah-Donli said in a statement.
The agency said it had secured convictions in 359 cases since it was created in 2003 to tackle growing cases of human trafficking in the country. The Director-General added that the fight against human trafficking is not a fight just for the Federal Government of Nigeria but a fight for all of the society and government.
