Dabiri-Erewa Demands Crackdown: ‘Traffickers Must Face Harsher Punishment

The Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called on the Federal Government to intensify its fight against human trafficking in the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by Gabriel Odu of NiDCOM’s Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit, Dabiri-Erewa made the call during a strategic meeting with the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello, at NiDCOM headquarters in Abuja.

While acknowledging that progress has been made, Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that more action is needed to curb the rising menace of human trafficking. She advocated for the public identification and shaming of traffickers, along with the enforcement of stricter punishments to deter future offenders.

She also stressed that NAPTIP cannot tackle the issue alone and urged greater synergy between agencies such as NiDCOM, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), and others.

Dabiri-Erewa commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), neighbouring countries, Nigerian Diaspora communities, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for their roles in the rescue and rehabilitation of victims of trafficking.

Praising the NAPTIP DG for her commitment, Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed NiDCOM’s dedication to protecting vulnerable Nigerians, saying, “We will continue to do all we can to rescue our youth and promote safe, legal migration routes.”

In response, Bello thanked Dabiri-Erewa for NiDCOM’s continued partnership, particularly in the recent operation that rescued 231 young Nigerians from Ghana. She highlighted that addressing human trafficking demands a coordinated approach involving government agencies, civil society, and other stakeholders.

Bello disclosed some of the agency’s recent successes, including the rescue of 19 pregnant girls in an Abuja estate and the safe return of nine victims from Côte d’Ivoire. She reiterated NAPTIP’s resolve to defend the rights and dignity of Nigerians targeted by human traffickers.