The Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour, NACTAL, Nigeria has called on all arms of the Nigerian government to end all forms of slavery particularly human trafficking by the year 2030.
The civil society network made the call on Saturday, while commemorating the World Day Against Trafficking In Persons 2022, themed: Use and Abuse of Technology: “The Urgent Need to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons; especially Women, Children and Young People.
Citing the basis for the call, Abdulganiyu Abubakar, National President, NACTAL, Nigeria, in a statement signed and made available to CASEFILE, identified that Nigeria remains a source, transit and destination to human trafficking with thousands of Nigerian women, children, girls and boys being trafficked both within and outside the country for exploitation including forced prostitution, domestic servitude, and organ harvest among others.
For this reason, NACTAL wants the Government of Nigeria including the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary to rise to the global call to ending all forms of slavery particularly human trafficking by 2030 in line the Sustainable Development Goals.
It however commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for the continuous support given to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, in the fight against human trafficking.
It is of the view that there is a need to fight against human trafficking by prioritising adequate resource allocation to NAPTIP and strengthen multi-sectoral approach including engagement of religious leaders and institutions to prevent, suppress and punish Trafficking In Persons, TIP, especially women and children who are trafficked under the disguise of missionary activities.
According to the non governmental body, “The use and abuse of technology must be decisively looked into, as COVID-19 has driven more people to use online services and products. Millions of children and young people in Nigeria now spend more time on the internet to access educational activities and services as well as searching for job advert through which they are lured by traffickers.
Continuing NACTAL says, “We are also using this opportunity to commend the NAPTIP DG Dr. Fatima Waziri-Azi and her team for the recent elevation of Nigeria to Tier 2 in the 2021 TIP report, this, no doubt, is a reflection of her commitment and dedication to stem the tide of trafficking and put traffickers at bay in their illicit act. Your open door policy is highly appreciated.’
“As the global community commemorates the 2022 World Day Against Human Trafficking with increased tempo to achieve the last milestone of realising the SDGs, particularly, SDG 16 target 2 ending violence and human trafficking in all its forms. The theme for this year’s commemoration “Use and Abuse of Technology” is very timely given the role technology plays in the day to day human activities across the globe.
It also amplified the findings of a study by the University of Toledo Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute
“Social media is increasingly being exploited to contact, recruit and sell children for sex. The study reveals how traffickers quickly target and connect with vulnerable children, girls and other victims on the internet through social media.”
