By

Oluwaseun Trust A

 

Effort by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to combat incidence of human trafficking through thorough investigation and diligent prosecution of offenders received a major boost as the Management of FIIAPP under the framework of the Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants in Nigeria (A-TIPSOM) has donated state-of-the art digital investigation equipment to the Agency.

In a release made available to newsmen by Mr. Adekoye Vincent of the Press and Public Relations Unit, the items are designed to enhance forensic evidence against traffickers, aid counselling and interview of survivors, promote comprehensive rehabilitation of survivors and improves the communication strategies and networking with partners.

A-TIPSOM is a counter trafficking project funded by the European Union and implemented by FIIAPP. The project has collaborated with NAPTIP severally in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria through capacity building of officers, partners and members of the Civil Society. It has also help in the evacuation of stranded victims of human trafficking in some of the destination Countries.

It is on record that NAPTIP has continued to enjoy tremendous support and assistance from A-TIPSOM since the past few years. The project has supported radio awareness programme, training of Officers of the Agency and other partners including Officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Police and members of the Civil Society Organization under the umbrella of Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour ( NACTAL).

One of the most recent of such was a capacity building and editathon workshop on Trafficking in Persons and smuggling of Migrants for workshop and awareness programme held in Lagos for Wikipedia editors in 8 States of the Federation, held in Lagos.



Speaking while receiving the donated items, Director General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri – Azi, appreciated the Management of A-TIPSOM for its assistance and collaboration with the Agency.

While thanking the European Union for funding the project, the Director General  described the gesture as a boost to the operations of the Agency and assured them of judicious use of the equipment.

In his response, the Team Leader of A-TIPSOM, Mr.  Rafeal Rios Molina represented by Mr. Sani Dantuni said the donated was to further promote the operations of the Agency.

He assured that A-TIPSOM shall continue to collaborate with NAPTIP in its thematic areas in order to effectively tackle human trafficking and smuggling of migrants in the Country.

It would be recalled that A-TIPSOM had made similar donation to the Agency last year.

Item donated include Monitors, Mobile Phones, Digital Voice Recorders Cameras and laptops.