The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim says the agency is opening up new vistas of partnership that will embrace more institutions and donors towards tackling human trafficking which is on the rise.
The DG stated this when she met with Governor Simon Lalong in Abuja to seek ways of collaboration in her new task.
She said the Agency has commenced a wider consultation with State governments and other critical stakeholders in building a solid platform for preventive approach to the fight against trafficking.
This she said was the best way to go because the situation where victims are traumatised and negatively affected before rehabilitation is reactive and does not go far.
The NAPTIP boss said it was cheaper and more profitable for human trafficking rings to be identified and disrupted while the victims are protected rather than allowed to undergo harrowing experiences with some of them losing their lives.
She commended Governor Lalong for being one of the first in the country to sign into law the VAAP Act and Child’s Rights Law which are major instruments for the fight against human trafficking and other violent crimes against children and other persons.
Governor Lalong who congratulated the NAPTIP boss over her appointment said the issue of human trafficking has taken many dimensions with various individuals and organised groups participating to make profit from the misfortune of others.
He said the situation is made worse by poverty, ignorance and greed where even some parents abdicate their responsibilities by putting their children in harm’s way in a bid to make money.
Governor Lalong assured the NAPTIP DG that he will not only support her efforts in Plateau State, but will use his position as the Chairman, Northern Governor’s Forum to mobilise his colleagues towards enhancing the work of the Agency.
