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NAPTIP, Shippers’ Council Collaborate to Arrest Human Trafficking on Waterways
NAPTIP, Shippers’ Council Collaborate to Arrest Human Trafficking on Waterways
By: Michael Mike
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) are to commence a collaborative move aimed at combating human trafficking through Nigeria’s waterways and coastal areas
The Management of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Tuesday promised robust cooperation, effective collaboration, and sustained synergy with NAPTIP.
The promise was made during a courtesy visit of the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, to the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Akutah Ukeyima, at the Council’s office in Abuja.
The visit was part of the strategic engagement of the Director General of NAPTIP with critical Agencies of Government and partners across the Country aimed at enhancing inter-agency collaboration in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.
Speaking during the visit, the NAPTIP boss, who described the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as a critical partners, disclosed that due to the intense operation heat on traffickers on the land borders by operatives of NAPTIP, some of the traffickers have now resorted to using the waterways to traffic their victims.
She said, “ As a maritime regulatory body, the NSC oversees critical gateways to the nation’s trade and transportation systems, gateways that are unfortunately also exploited by traffickers to move victims clandestinely via vessels and other maritime routes.
“The shipping, ports, and logistics sectors can play a pivotal role in early detection, prevention, and reporting of trafficking activities, making collaboration between NAPTIP and NSC not only strategic but essential.
“NAPTIP is proposing to deepen engagement with the maritime sector in the fight against human trafficking, especially in sensitisation for identification of potential trafficking cases along the waterways and timely reporting to relevant authorities.
“We propose a collaboration targeting port workers, shipping agents, freight forwarders, crew members, and other maritime stakeholders to identify and report suspected trafficking activities using NSC’s outreach structures, the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM) platforms, and Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) channels to integrate anti-trafficking awareness.
“ Bearing in mind that the fight against human trafficking requires a united, multi-sectoral approach, and that the maritime sector under the regulatory leadership of NSC is a critical partner in closing the trafficking supply chain, NAPTIP expresses its readiness to formalise collaboration through an MoU or agreed action plan for sustained engagement.
“NAPTIP and NSC can strengthen Nigeria’s maritime security, while protecting vulnerable persons from exploitation”, the NAPTIP DG stated.
In his response, the ES/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, described human trafficking as one of the most heinous transnational organized crimes that requires the collective effort of all stakeholders and partners to combat.
According to him, the evolving nature of the crime, coupled with the various dimensions and scope, has made it more dangerous, with attendant consequences on innocent victims.
While acknowledging the achievements of the Agency under the watch of the Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, the NSC Boss said, “ It is very important that we partner together and fight this menace. This is a kind of crime that does not give a good image to the Country abroad. It leads to other criminal activities”.
“The maritime sector is not be left alone in this fight to combathuman trafficking in Nigeria. You talked about a stowaway; this is a veritable means of transporting victims to other countries”, he disclosed.
Also speaking, the Board member, MMS, Women of Fortune, Hall of Fame Initiative (WoFHoF), Hajia Lami Tumaka, expressed the readiness of the organization to partner with NAPTIP to combat human trafficking in the Country.
The high point of the visit was the setting up of an interim inter–agency committee to work out the modality and establish the necessary framework for the new counter trafficking collaboration.
NAPTIP, Shippers’ Council Collaborate to Arrest Human Trafficking on Waterways
NHRC trains 34 human rights advocates in Gombe
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has trained 34 Community Protection Rights Advocates to protect and promote human rights in Gombe state.
Dr Joseph Wanshe, the State Coordinator of the Commission, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Monday.
Wanshe said that the training was imperative toward achieving the mandate of the commission in the state.
According to him, the trained advocates, who are mostly in rural areas, will penetrate distant and rural communities where human rights violations are rampant.
He said that the training has started yielding the expected results as there have been increased number of reported cases of human rights violations from rural communities across the state.
He said that the advocates have been deployed to the 11 local government areas of the state.
“We are witnessing an upsurge in human rights reporting coming to the office.
“ The numbers are increasing as regards civil and political rights followed by cases of women and children, domestic violence, economic, social and cultural rights.
“ There are many factors involved in the upsurge as the NHRC within the last one month has stepped up sensitisations and stakeholders’ engagements.
“ We have trained Community Protection Rights advocates, who have been working and as a result, awareness has increased and number of complaints received have spiked,” he said.
Wanshe said that the trained advocates have been affiliated to NHRC at the local government levels toward ensuring wider coverage of the state in terms of human rights protection.
He assured residents on the commission’s effort at ensuring that it achieved effectively its mandate of protection and promotion of human rights.
Wanshe commended the people of Gombe State for their improved confidence in NHRC which has resulted in improved reportage of human rights violations
He further urged communities to support the advocates in their domains in the overall interest of human rights protection.
NHRC trains 34 human rights advocates in Gombe
Troops intercept 11 suspects with IED-making materials in Abuja
Troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted 11 suspected criminals conveying materials believed to be for the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
By: Zagazola Makama
Security sources said the suspects, comprising 10 males and one female, were arrested at about 12:59 a.m. on April 27 by troops of 176 Guards Battalion deployed at Kuchiyako.
The sources disclosed that the suspects were intercepted in a vehicle along the Kuchiyako–Tipper Garage road, allegedly loaded with IED-making materials.
According to preliminary investigation, the suspects claimed they were en route to mining sites around Kabbin Mangoro in Kuje Area Council to collect mineral resources.
Items recovered from them include explosive charges and three-and-a-half bags of unidentified mineral substances, among other sundry materials.
The suspects are currently in military custody, while investigations are ongoing to ascertain their intent and possible links to criminal or terrorist activities.
Troops intercept 11 suspects with IED-making materials in Abuja
Troops repel terrorists in Zamfara, recover calm after attack on Godel community
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army under 1 Brigade have repelled an attack by suspected terrorists in Godel community of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 2:08 p.m. on April 27 when troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kaura Namoda responded to credible intelligence on terrorist activities in the area.
The sources disclosed that troops made contact with the attackers upon arrival, leading to a fierce exchange of fire.
According to the sources, the troops forced the terrorists to withdraw from the area following the encounter.
However, during the attack, the assailants reportedly rustled an unspecified number of cattle belonging to residents of the community.
Three civilians were also said to have sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated for medical attention.
The sources added that troops have intensified patrols and clearance operations in the general area to prevent further attacks and recover the rustled livestock.
Troops repel terrorists in Zamfara, recover calm after attack on Godel community
NHRC trains 34 human rights advocates in Gombe
Troops intercept 11 suspects with IED-making materials in Abuja
Troops foil kidnap attempt in Kaduna, rescue two victims
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