FG to settle victims of human trafficking – Sadiya Farouq
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Hajia Sadiya Farouq, has assured that victims of all forms of human trafficking would not be abandoned.
Farouq made this disclosure on Friday, at World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2021 with the theme: ‘Victims’ Voices Lead the Way’, organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) jointly with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
According to a statement which was obtained by our correspondent, Farouq stressed that the Federal Government would work assiduously towards ensuring that their needs are given special attention.
She said, “Nigeria will at all times ensure that victims of human trafficking are given their rightful place and that all reintegration and rehabilitation efforts will take into cognisance their special needs.”
Recall that trafficking in persons is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. Every year, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers.
However, despite significant efforts carried out by authorities to curb the problem, Nigeria is a country of origin, transit and destination for victims of human trafficking.
Also speaking, Sen. Basheer Garba Muhammed, Director-General of NAPTIP, stressed that “the impact of exploitation on victims is so devastating that victims are physically affected, they are psychologically and emotionally traumatized and are often times socially excluded.
“I feel it is time for victims of trafficking to anchor the awareness raising on their situation, for a better promotion and protection of their rights, while experience shared could also serve as warning to prevent potential victims from being trafficked.”
Also, Edward Kallon, UN Resident
Coordinator to Nigeria, said “Our efforts must be guided by survivors of trafficking. Their contribution is essential to address risk factors and patterns, and to identify and protect victims and ensure their access to justice and recovery, while holding their exploiters accountable.”
On his part, Franz Celestin, Chief of Mission at IOM Nigeria further said “we recall the commitments made by the Federal Government of Nigeria in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration to facilitate the access of trafficked persons to justice, to allow them to safely report experiences without fear of detention, deportation or penalty, and to provide migrants who have become trafficking victims with protection, assistance and redress.”
On her part, Elisabeth Bayer, UNODC Deputy Country Representative added that, “bringing perpetrators
to justice is the only way to provide restitution for identified victims, to ensure they have access to justice, and to prevent further abuse and exploitation.
On this World Day against Trafficking in Persons, have a heart for the victims of human trafficking and join the blue heart campaign.”
