FIC Report (Edo State) – National Agency For The Prohibition Of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) in collaboration with its various partners have organized a 3KM road walk to commemorate the 2021 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
The event which took place on Friday, the 30th of July, 2021, commenced at the Benin Zonal Command’s office of NAPTIP, located at Adesuwa Street, GRA, Benin City and terminated at Imaguero College, Sapele Road.
The procession was led by the Zonal Commander of the Benin Zonal command of the Agency, Barr. Chidebere Ifudu. Also in the procession were representatives of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees(UNHCR), International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Red Cross, the Nigeria Police Force, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, the Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking, Students and some other Non Governmental Organizations.
In her brief speech, the Zonal Commander, Benin Zonal Command of NAPTIP, Barr. Mrs. Chidebere Ifudu, thanked all the participants in the event. She disclosed that her agency is in the fore front of fighting against human trafficking and that the welfare of victims of the act (Trafficking)is paramount to them.
“Today, the whole World celebrates the fight against human trafficking. And in our continent, NAPTIP is in the forefront; it’s the focal agency that fights human trafficking. We are jointly saying no to human trafficking today”. She declared.
In her remark, an Associate Project Officer with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Mrs. Uyimen Johnson commended her colleague in the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
“We are partnering with IOM and NAPTIP to deliver this activity. We are here to promote the message that human trafficking is evil. We are here to say that smuggling of human beings is bad . We are also here to enlighten those who are still young and potential victims, to tell them that there are dangers in irregular movements, there are dangers in the drive to want to travel abroad.
“At this point, I will then mention that we will continue to collaborate with Nigerian Government Agencies, we will collaborate with sister UN Agencies, NGOs, Media houses and the private sector to continue to deliver this message”.She concluded.
In his speech, a Senior Project Assistant with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mr. Aigbeze Uhimen thanked all the participants at the event.
“We thank our partners, particularly UNHCR, we thank the Edo State Task Force and we thank NAPTIP, other NGOs and other bodies that have partnered with us to mark this event.
“We believe in IOM that the voices of victims of trafficking is very key and IOM has up to today supported victims of trafficking. We have set up a legal hub in collaboration with stakeholders, NAPTIP, Edo State Task Force and Edo State Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders like FIDA. I just want to reiterate again our commitments to providing safe migration in Nigeria”. Mr. Uhimen also noted that significant progress has been made in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria. He urged all stakeholders to put up more efforts in the fight against the dehumanizing act.
The World Day Against Trafficking In Persons is an annual event observed every 30th day of July. It is globally organized by the United Nations to raise awareness, encourage vigilance and gain support for prevention of human trafficking. The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Victims’ Voices ; Lead The Way”.
By: Besiru Enakhimion
