Nigeria, destination country for human trafficking, says FIDA

Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria has said Nigeria is still a destination country for human trafficking.

It also noted that extreme poverty, corruption, conflict, climate change/resulting migration and Western consumerism are factors that increase vulnerability to trafficking in the country. 

The Assistant Legal official of FIDA, Rahila Danda, stated this at the workshop organised by CLEEN Foundation, with the theme: “Gender Audit Report of Protection Services in Safe Homes and Shelters for Victims of Trafficking in the Federal Capital Territory,” in Abuja. 

She said: “It’s a momentous step towards enabling gender-sensitive policy environment that addresses forced migration and trafficking and providing gender-sensitive information and awareness-raising in source migration trafficking sites. It is true that Nigeria is still a source, transit and destination country for human trafficking.”

Acting Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Ruth Olofin, called on the government to work with other stakeholders in providing skill acquisition for victims of traffickers across the country.

She said: “The trafficked persons have undergone a lot of trauma before being brought back to Nigeria. And when they are brought to the country, we should know the type of service to provide. We have to ensure that their psychological needs are taken care of.

“The project is specifically on the prevention of human trafficking for women and girls. The critical component of that project is more on awareness at the grassroots level. So, what we are doing is taking the message out to the states that are deeply affected.

“The government has a lot to do to ensure that people stay back and see the need to contribute towards improving Nigeria, as well as educate parents. This is because some parents go as far as influencing and putting pressure on their children…” she said.

The Acting Director, Counseling and Rehabilitation (NAPTIP), Kehinde Akomolafe, reassured stakeholders that the agency would ensure that information gathered from research work would be implemented against human trafficking.

“The agency was established in 2003 with the mandate to rescue, rehabilitate and reintegrate victims of human trafficking. Since its establishment over 17 years ago, the agency has been able to fulfil its mandate in this regard. Over 16,000 victims have been rescued, while over 2,000 have been empowered. We have also been able to prosecute suspects and sent over 300 to jail,” she said.