By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
AS the Maiduguri flood disaster caused deaths, displacement and missing of persons and property destruction worth millions of naira, the Network Against Child Trafficking , Abuse and Labour(NACTAL) on Friday, alerted on precautionary measures to protect vulnerable women and children against exploitation, trafficking, irregular migration and all forms of abuses.
Similarly, called on government, member organisations of NACTAL Nigeria and other CSOs to activate protection mechanisms available to protect women and children especially in Borno state and Nigeria.
NACTAL noted that at least 200,000 persons had been displaced with an estimated 200 missing in the Tuesday floods which also affected the palace of the Shehu of Borno among other key structures in parts of Maiduguri metropolis.
It National President, Abdulganiyu Abubakar alerted at a press conference in Sokoto while commiserating with the people of Borno state and Nigeria.
” The unfortunate and disheartening situation is likely to fuel incidences of trafficking , sexual abuse and exploitation and irregular migration of women and children “, he stressed.
Abdulganiyu urged critical stakeholders to fast track convening a meeting of agencies working in the area of trafficking in persons and irregular migration for an emergency plan to provide protection for women and children against Trafficking In Person and Smuggling of Migrant.
Held at the American Space hall , Usmanu Danfodiyo University , Sokoto , the NACTAL organised press conference also appealed to the media as watch dogs to remain unbiased and objective in collaboration with CSOs and communities to report suspected cases of human trafficking and migrant smuggling to relevant authorities.
Accordingly , Abubakar who wss flanked by Sokoto state FOMWAN representative Mufeedat Abdulrafiu and Bello Sambo, appealed to UNODC, IOM, ICMPD and NCFRMI for prompt action.
” This is also a wake up call to the leadership of NAPTIP at all levels to remain vigilant and work closely with CSOs in identifying potential cases of trafficking inorder to ensure adequate protection measures were provided to women and children within the Challenging period.
” A lot of persons are currently at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps with some scouting for the protection they can get elsewhere “, he pointed out with concerns while calling on all development partners to come to the aid of the vulnerable in the current trying moments, the president also disclosed that NACTAL shelter facilities were open and available across the 36 states adding that ” we have two shelters in Sokoto; Save the Child and the Freedom for Life.
While CSOs would be providing the expertise and active network engagements with NACTAL, Abdulganiyu stressed that government must take proactive steps to mitigate flood situations.
FOMWAN representative, Hajiya Mufeedat said the devastating floods situation in Borno state was a monumental calamity that affected mostly women and children and required urgent social intervention and relief to bring succour to affected families.
Meanwhile, Sokoto school children also joined in sympathising with their Borno state peers affected by the floods.
They appealed to government and development partners to support those affected and urged precautionary measures to protect victims against all forms of abuses and ensure all support were channelled to real beneficiaries.
