The Nigerian Senate has approved recommendations to strengthen anti-trafficking laws, investigate suspected trafficking networks, increase funding for relevant agencies and establish a national reintegration programme for Nigerians rescued from human trafficking and exploitation abroad.
The recommendations followed the consideration of a joint report by the Senate Committees on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Foreign Affairs, and Special Duties on the urgent need to protect Nigerians from trafficking, slavery and human rights abuses in Libya.
Presenting the report at plenary on Tuesday, Senator Anthony Yaro, who represents Gombe South and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, said the committees had consulted stakeholders and examined the issues raised in a motion on the subject.
He said the recommendations were designed to strengthen Nigeria’s response to human trafficking, improve protection for victims and disrupt criminal networks responsible for the exploitation of Nigerians.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, subsequently led the chamber in considering and approving the recommendations.
Under the resolutions, the Senate called for a review and stronger enforcement of existing anti-trafficking legislation, including the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015 and the Child Rights Act 2003.
Akpabio also urged the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other relevant agencies to investigate suspected trafficking networks and travel agencies allegedly involved in the recruitment and exploitation of Nigerians abroad.
The proposed investigations are expected to examine recruitment networks, financial transactions, travel arrangements and other evidence that could help identify and prosecute those responsible.
The Senate further recommended increased funding for NAPTIP and other relevant agencies to improve their capacity to investigate and prosecute offenders and provide assistance to victims.
It also called on the Federal Government to establish a national reintegration and protection programme for returning victims, to be coordinated by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons in collaboration with NAPTIP.
On international cooperation, the Senate urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to intensify diplomatic engagement with Libya to combat human trafficking, modern-day slavery and irregular migration.
The proposed cooperation would focus on intelligence sharing, improved border management, dismantling trafficking networks, protecting vulnerable migrants and facilitating the repatriation of victims.
During deliberations, Akpabio broadened the discussion beyond Nigerians trafficked to Libya, recounting a case involving three children allegedly abducted in Akwa Ibom State and moved through several locations before their rescue by the police.
According to the Senate President, the children were taken to Aba, Katsina and Lagos as traffickers allegedly attempted to sell them before moving them across the border to Ghana.
He said the children had been missing for approximately 93 days before the police traced their movements and rescued them.
The senate President commended the Inspector-General of Police and the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for their roles in the recovery operation.
He also said he had directed the police to arrange a meeting with the eldest child, who reportedly warned prospective buyers that the Senate President was searching for them.
“I’ve promised myself that when I see the child, I’ll give that child a scholarship to university level,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President said the case demonstrated the need to strengthen security measures and improve public awareness of human trafficking and child abduction.
He warned that trafficking was not limited to international destinations, noting that children were also being abducted and moved between states within Nigeria.
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