RAJAB 9 1430 A.H.
WEDNESDAY JULY, 1 2009
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NAPTIP solicits media support to fight human trafficking
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has called for more public enlightenment programmes to sensitise Nigerians to the dangers of human trafficking.
Mr Simon Egede, NAPTIP’s Executive Secretary, made the call in Abuja on Monday when he paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili.
He stressed that Nigeria was still facing the challenge of how to tackle trafficking in persons, particularly women and children.
``As at the year 2001, the Italian anti-mafia authorities estimated that about 80 prostitutes in Italy were Nigerian victims of human trafficking.
``Unfortunately, the number may have risen to over 5,000, spreading out to France, Spain, Ireland, Denmark, Saudi Arabia and UAE,’’ he said.
Egede said that NAPTIP’s records indicated that an average of five Nigerian girls in these countries died every other month in ``inexplicable circumstances’’.
He, therefore, appealed to the minister to implore government media establishments to partner with NAPTIP on the enlightenment of the citizenry about the dangers of human trafficking.
Speaking on NAPTIP’s achievements, Egede said: ``Since its inception in 2003, NAPTIP has secured the conviction of 56 traffickers; over 60 cases are now at various stages of completion in different parts of the country.
