As part of the government’s drive to enable growth in the state under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State government plans to strengthen it’s collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, in tackling human trafficking and related issues in the state.
The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Engr. Paul Bamgbose-Martins stated this Friday, 2020 when he paid a visit to the Commander Mr. Daniel Atokolo, at the Agency’s Lagos Command in GRA-Ikeja.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Director, Inter-Governmental Relations/ Regional Integration Development, Mr. Bankole, Oduntan Adetola and a team of officers of the Ministry, assured the Command of the Ministry’s full support and partnership in its drive to effectively prevent the continuous proliferation of human trafficking especially in Lagos State.
Quoting the maxim of the NAPTIP Director General, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, the Commander NAPTIP Lagos, Mr. Daniel Atokolo stated that the anti-human trafficking quest is a duty for government and society as it can only be achieved when all stakeholders are alive to their duties and roles towards eradicating a heinous crime that denies its victims fundamental human right and dignity.
To this end, the Commander pointed out the need to hasten efforts in the establishment of the Lagos State Task Force on Human Trafficking, which will serve as a machinery for the coordination of synergy amongst stakeholders in the state, see to the enhancement of the capacities of state non-actors and facilitate a multi-sectoral response to the crime of human trafficking in all its forms and its attendant effects.
The Commander informed the Commissioner and his team that NAPTIP Lagos Command and by extension every week, receives and provides necessary services to survivors of trafficking in Persons and returnees from countries like the Arab Emirates, Benin Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, amongst others. He warned that failure or mistakes in the facilitation and coordination of their return and reintegration process could pose a health risk to the state and country at large.
Responding, the representative of the honourable commissioner assured of the state government’s immense dedication towards the well being of all people dwelling in the state and he reiterated the Lagos state government’s commitment towards strengthening collaborations with NAPTIP.
