By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
IN its bid to drive responsive measures against human trafficking and for Ed Labour, a Non Governmental organization (NGO), Network Against Child Trafficking and Forced Labour (NACTAL) has launched “Anti-Human Trafficking Neighbourhood Watch Committee” to curb the menace.
NACTAL is an umbrella body of NGOs facilitating advocacy and campaign for children’s rights, anti-human trafficking and abuse funded by the European Union (EU) with the objective of implementing public awareness on prevention of Trafficking in Person (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) in collaboration with FIIAPP.
Speaking at the launch of the committee, National President of NACTAL, Mr Abdulganiyu Abubakar noted that only genuine collective efforts of stakeholders can help curb the menace of TIP and SOM.
Abubakar observed that states such as Sokoto, Katisna, Kano, Kebbi used as transit routes must be given more attention rather than source states or origin of victims.
” The states used as routes are fundamental and key to be given attention to “, he stressed while appealing to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and others to be proactive and vigilant in their operations inorder to curb the menace .
In the same vein, the National President who spoke on the topic: “Reporting Cases of Human Trafficking: Who, Where, When and How? pointed out the need for both state and non state actors see themselves as crucial and instrumental organs in driving the course to curbing the menace of TIP and SOM.
Accordingly, the Head , FIIAPP Sensitization and Enlightenment, Mr Samuel Sanwolu while making presentation on “The Objective of the Neighborhood Watch, Duties and Responsibilities”, cautioned the newly launched Anti- Trafficking Neighborhood Watch Committee not to arrest or prevent trafficking but only report to the relevant authorities.
In his welcome address at the 2 day workshop, Sokoto State Coordinator of NACTAL, Mr Rufus Yankong said with all hands on deck, winning the war against TIP and SOM was possible.
In his remarks, Team Leader of Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling on Migrants In Nigeria, (A- TIPSOM), Nigeria, Mr Federico Milan sought for the dedication and commitments of all stakeholders, adding ” this will fast track the curbing of TIP and SOM.”
He said leaders of communities have special role of not only rasing awareness but also taking responsibility of supporting their communities to halt trafficking and smuggling of migrants.
” Both religious and traditional leaders must unite with one vision to halt the trend, and the CSOs and NGOs have very special role in leading the campaign”, Federico stated.
Sokoto State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, represented by the Director Adminstration, Mr Abas Ahmed Sani said the state was in total support of the fight against TIP and SOM.
Also, the Comptroller of Immigration, Sokoto State Command, Mohammed Salihu represented by Deputy Comptroller, Grace Nkangung, said since Nigeria was fast expanding, the issue of irregular migration kept increasing.
According to her, there has been remarkable break through as NIS has continued to intercept young Nigerians trying to move out of the country for diverse reasons almost on daily basis citing Sokoto as one of the outlets where young Nigerians move out using the many expansive routes illegally.
“But thank God our men are always succeeding in intercepting them”, he attributed.
On the part of the Chief Imam of Kalambaina Mosque, in Wamakko local government, Malam Zayanu Hausare, reaffirmed that Islam as preached in the Holy Qur’an forbids anything that disrespects human dignity citing selling of human parts, trading human being, putting undue pressure on fellow humans, exploitation, taking of lives of fellow human being amongst numerous others as examples.
Also, the Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Sokoto State Chapter, Rev Adole Godwin, appealed to all to genuinely follow the teachings of their respective religions towards curbing the menace.
The CAN Scribe who noted that Nigeria was a very religious country but rarely adhered to the teachings of their religions, said the two major religions in Nigeria – Christianity and Islam – preached love for fellow human beings, but amazingly, adherents deviated resulting to the surge in crime in the country.
“Both religions preach love, living in peace, respect for human dignity but majority of the crimes committed against human beings today lare perpetrated by those belonging to either of this major religions”.
The District Head of Gagi, (Sarkin Yakin Gagi) Alhaji Jabi Ahmed said border porousity led to irregular migration thus; appealed for more effective synergy with the religious and traditional leaders to help curb the menace stressing that locals must be fully engaged as agents and watchdogs.
“Lots of factors such as forced marriage, domestic servitude, greed, deprivation, parental irresponsibility, poverty, having children beyond ones capacity amongst others are responsible for TIP and SOM
“‘Our target is to ensure that people speak out to protect human dignity, for us to attain zero TIP. But for this to be possible, we must ensure equal access to education”.
