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IOM Advises West African counties on Collaboration for Success of War Against Trafficking in Persons
IOM Advises West African counties on Collaboration for Success of War Against Trafficking in Persons
By: Michael Mike
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has said it is imperative for countries in West Africa to synergy and collaborate for success to be recorded in the ongoing fight against trafficking in persons within the region.
The Chief of Mission of IOM in Nigeria, Mr Laurent De Boeck, gave the charge in his address at the inaugural ceremony of the three-day workshop focused on fights against trafficking that started from May 31, to June 2, 2023, in Abuja.
The workshop, which is organised by the Ministry of Solidarity and the Fight against Poverty, as Executive Secretariat of the National Committee for the Fight against Trafficking in Persons (CNLTP) was based on bi-lateral cooperation to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons in Nigeria and Cote d’ Ivoire.
De Boeck said the meeting centered on exchange, experience sharing and study visit to Nigeria between CNLTP and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) aimed at sharing lessons learnt and the best practices on human trafficking.
He said synergy is very important for countries in the West African region to fight against trafficking in persons and therefore, this visit is very timely.
He said: “It comes at a time when NAPTIP will be commemorating 20 years of being in existence and has been instrumental in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.
“A lot of milestones have been scored and NAPTIP has been a lead in the region, hence the interest by other countries to learn from the experience.
“One of the key aims of this study visit is to strengthen the government’s efforts, particularly in terms of sub-regional cooperation, in the fight against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.
“This study is part of assistance to victims of trafficking and smuggling of migrants project, funded by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and implemented by IOM Côte d’Ivoire in close collaboration with the National Committee for the Fight Against Trafficking in Persons in Cote d’Ivoire.”
He assured that the organisation would support Nigeria to tackle root causes of irregular migration, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, ranging from the need to strengthen efforts in behavioural change communication interventions.
He further promised that socio-economic opportunities would be provided to return migrants to their communities of origin, leverage on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 10:7 and 17, to provide post arrival, reception and protection assistance to over 30,000 Nigerians, of which 4,000 are victims of trafficking among other.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, reiterated the need for shared values between both countries towards the protection of human rights, uphold peace and prosperity, as guiding principles for mutual cooperation.
She said: “Human trafficking and its multi-dimensional effect is a crime that affects every country.
“Although proportionality and strength may differ, trafficking in persons has continued to threaten the existence of humanity, which is why it is imperative we cooperate in the best interest of our citizens and all of society.
“The way we used to think about human trafficking has evolved into microcosms of much bigger problems.”
Regional Project Manager of Expertise France, Mr Modeste Krah, on his part, said the bi-lateral agreement signed between the two countries (Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire) in 2021 served as strategic framework in their fights against human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.
He said the study visit to Nigeria served as platform to further strengthen collaboration of combating heinous crime of human trafficking and smuggling.
He said: “Both Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria find themselves grappling with migration flows, serving as countries of origin, transit and destination.
“A detesting reality is that large number of the victims of trafficking rescued and cared for would have been trajectory to trafficking for sexual exploitation of Nigeria nationals.
“Such complexity pose immense challenges in the identification of victims and prosecution of trafficking, necessitating the concerted collaborative efforts between our two countries,” he said.
The workshop is being hosted under the auspices of the technical and financial support of IOM, and Expertise France had participants drawn from NAPTIP, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria Immigration Service, IOM Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria.
IOM Advises West African counties on Collaboration for Success of War Against Trafficking in Persons
Boko Haram Terrorists Ambush Vigilantes in Borno, One Killed
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have ambushed members of a vigilante group on routine patrol along the Warave–Gwoza Road in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, killing one member.
Sources said the attack occurred at about 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday when the gunmen opened fire on members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local hunters conducting patrol in the area.
A member of the CJTF in Warave, Bello Adamu, 50, sustained fatal injuries during the ambush. He was evacuated to the General Hospital in Gwoza, where he was certified dead on arrival. His remains were later released to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI were deployed to the scene following the incident, while monitoring and patrols have been intensified along the axis to prevent further attacks.
Boko Haram Terrorists Ambush Vigilantes in Borno, One Killed
Troops Neutralise Four Terrorists in Offensive Operation in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Operation HADIN KAI in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have neutralised Four suspected Boko Haram terrorists during an offensive operation in Shehuri area of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola that the operation, conducted at about 9:15 a.m. on Feb. 25 under Operation Desert Sanity IV, led to the interception and engagement of the terrorists.
Following the encounter, troops carried out exploitation of the area, during which four insurgents were neutralised.
Items recovered from the scene included AKSM automatic rifle and pump-action rifle with cartridges and magazines.
Sources added that troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high as clearance operations continue across parts of the state.
Troops Neutralise Four Terrorists in Offensive Operation in Borno
Lakurawa Terrorists on revenge Mission Kill Four Worshippers in Kebbi Mosque, Five Injured
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected Lakurawa terrorists on a revenge mission have attacked Dadinkowa village in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State, killing four worshippers and injuring five others after storming a mosque.
Sources said the attackers invaded the community and opened fire on worshippers, leaving four persons dead and five others with varying degrees of injuries. The injured victims were rushed to a medical facility for treatment.
The latest attack is believed to be a reprisal following a failed ambush on the convoy of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Maj.-Gen. Bemgha Koughna, during an operational tour in the state.
On Wednesday, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma reportedly foiled the ambush near Mayama Hill, neutralising five suspected terrorists. Weapons and other items recovered during the operation included one OJC gun, one PKT gun, two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines, a bandolier of PKT ammunition, several rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, a camel bag containing N840,000, two mobile phones and five motorcycles.
Security sources said the terrorists were suspected to have launched the mosque attack in retaliation for the heavy losses recorded during the failed ambush.
Operation FANSAN YANMA have assured that efforts were ongoing to track down those responsible for the latest assault.
Lakurawa Terrorists on revenge Mission Kill Four Worshippers in Kebbi Mosque, Five Injured
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