NAPTIP trains officers on intelligence, security

NAPTIP trains officers on intelligence, security
By Mustapha Sumaila
Graduation
Abuja, July 30, 2018 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has graduated its first set of 97 officers from Basic Intelligence and Security Course.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr Julie Okah-Donli, disclosed this on Monday while addressing newsmen to mark the 2018 World Day Against Human Trafficking in Abuja.
The United Nations in 2013 adopted a resolution that every July 30, should be marked as the World Day Against Human Trafficking to raise awareness on the situation of victims and for the promotion and protection of their right.
Okah-Donli said that the officers were trained in the Staff Development Centre of the State Service in Kaduna to widen the scope of surveillance, intelligence gathering and enforcement on trafficking in persons in the country.
She said that the agency was in the process of deploying them to identified endemic areas within the country, mostly along routes known for human trafficking and irregular migration.
According to her, some of the newly trained officers will also be assigned to the various IDP camps in order to forestall any act of exploitation in the camps.
“In the years ahead, Nigerians should look forward to a reloaded NAPTIP with renewed strategies and proactive service delivery in the areas of combating human trafficking.
“We shall intensify advocacy to relevant stakeholders with a view to enhancing a clear understanding of issues and the enormity of human trafficking,” she said.
She said that the agency would spread to the hinterlands, settlements and other locations reputed for human trafficking with comprehensible enlightenment messages to reduce their vulnerability.
“We shall design our surveillance apparatus with special attention on those suspected orphanage operators, travel and tour agents as well as other service providers with nefarious intentions to protect our children from trafficking,” the NAPTIP boss said.
According to her, the uttermost desire of the agency is to protect Nigerians from all forms of human trafficking and with the support of all stakeholders in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that director-general also launched an app for the agency, known as “NAPTIP ireport App”, to enhance seamless and prompt reportage of issues relating to human trafficking. (NAN)
MS/JIE/MST
Edited by Julius Enehi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola