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NAPTIP: More Efforts Against Human Trafficking By Preye Dambo
It has been five years of the establishment of the National Agency for prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP), a government organ responsible for the prevention of human trafficking and protection of victims of the nefarious acts.
To some extent the agency has achieved some of its task especially in the areas of sensitization and prosecution of the traffickers and rehabilitation of victims that are mostly women and children. Yet the crime is unabated.
It is unbelievable that despite the effort of that agency and other bodies like the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are still cases and reports of child trafficking in West Africa, most especially in Nigeria. There are occasions where hospitals take in young pregnant girls, offer them money for their babies ranging from N20, 000-N25,000,which they in turn sell between N150,000 -N30,000 depending on the gender of the baby.
The act of child trafficking in Nigeria and West Africa in general has become a common phenomenon in our society, which involves young boys and girls on the average age of 15years, which are mainly girls.60%- 80% of them are sent to Italy for sex trade and the common routes are west coast of Nigeria to Mali, morocco, boat to Spain or west coast of Nigeria to Libya and Saudi Arabia. It has been estimated that about 15 million children are engaged in child labour in Nigeria and 40% of them are of the risk of being used for entertainment, pornography, armed conflict, rituals and forced labour.
It has been revealed that traffickers lure children to leave their homes promising them education and training abroad, though due to poverty some go willingly. Sometimes officials at borders and traffickers conspire to smuggle children out for selfish interest.
Ignorance and poverty are central reason why some parents allow their children to be taken away from them for menial works. Parents with large families too willingly give out their wards to strangers for money to enable them cater for the rest of the family. Traffickers prey on the vulnerability of such poor parents who are mostly illiterates to exploit them, since they are desperate for financial succor and therefore give out their children to strangers who give them money with promise to give the children quality education. Ironically the children are maltreated, physically and psychologically abused.
Those that are taken as domestic servants stand the risks of being sexually exploited which invariably, exposed them to deadly diseases like HIV/AIDS. Unfortunately, some of them are used for ritual.
Apart from the inconsiderate treatment meted out on these children they neither feel at home in the hands of their captives, nor could they escape as the route are extremely risky.
Stories abound on how children who are victims of traffickers have been rescued at border posts. Some rescued from refrigerated trucks severely dehydrated. Regardless of their age or sex; the children try to survive in a cruel environment.
If we believe that children are the leaders of tomorrow, what type of future do we anticipate for a nation where child trafficking remains a lucrative business in our country?
The effects of trafficking are devastating therefore having negative consequences on our children. Isolated from their families, as well as communities and culture, most of these children find it difficult to trace their roots as a result of long wasted years or the influence exerted by their masters. In rare cases, some that managed to return to their villages finds it thorny to adjust to the new environment.
The act of child trafficking is inhuman using our children as objects of transaction and its effects on the Nigeria include loss of lives, violence and crime, school drop outs, impaired children, poor national image, massive deportation of Nigerian girls. This, in addition, has worsened the regions growing AIDS crises because of the sexual exploitation of the victims.
It seems some parents do not help the matter as they occasionally defended traffickers after the arrest claiming they have their consents. Trafficking in child labour occurs along numerous routes in West Africa.
The government of West African countries such as, Nigeria, Togo , Gabon , Niger , Ivory Coast and Ghana should focus on the prevention of child trafficking and also the protection of trafficked children. Though the Nigerian government has recognized the problem and effects of child trafficking, it established an agency to deal with offenders of the crime in 2003. After 5 years of implementing the law, due to our population and endemic poverty there are more to be done in addressing the cankerworm.
Trafficking in persons as it were is the third largest crime against humanity, and for government to break this vicious circle; the rights of children must be recognized. We need to put an end to this cruel act. This cycle will continue and the problem remains if steps are not taken to bring it to an end. Free education should be provided in every locality to enable children go to school so that parents will not have a reason for denying them education.
The government should make laws for children against child abuse, ruthlessly punish traffickers, payment of salary should not be delayed to make it possible for parents to provide adequately for their family. Trafficked victims should have access to adequate compensations. Also non governmental organizations and other relevant agencies should collaborate with one another to prevent child trafficking and protection of the victims.
Preye Dambo(NYSC Member)
National Press Centre, Abuja
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