ABIA DIASPORA COMMISSION SEEKS STRONGER PARTNERSHIP WITH NAPTIP TO CURB HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND PROTECT NIGERIANS WORLDWIDE

In a renewed effort to combat the growing menace of human trafficking and exploitation of Nigerians both at home and abroad, the Abia State Diaspora Commission has called for enhanced collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

The call was made by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Rev. Dr. Annie Onu, during a familiarisation visit to the Director General of NAPTIP, Hajiya Binta Adamu Bello, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Rev. Onu commended NAPTIP for its unwavering dedication to protecting Nigerians from traffickers and underscored the need for a stronger synergy between both institutions to safeguard Abia indigenes and Nigerians in general.

She said: “On behalf of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, Abia State Governor, he sends his greetings to this great team. 

“I am so, so pleased to be here and for the wonderful work you are doing, making sure that every citizen of Nigeria have a safe place.”

The Executive Secretary explained that the Abia State Diaspora Commission was established to oversee the welfare of Abia indigenes living abroad, particularly victims of trafficking and exploitation. She emphasized the need for effective communication and collaboration between the Commission and NAPTIP when dealing with cases involving Abians in the diaspora.

She stated: “For the Diaspora Commission, it is important that we work closely with you. Whenever you have a case of trafficking involving an Abian in the diaspora, we should be your first point of contact. Once we are informed, we will prepare our report and forward it to the legal team and investigators.”

According to Rev. Onu, the partnership would foster a more coordinated and efficient response to trafficking cases, ensuring justice for victims while promoting Nigeria’s values and human dignity.

She added: “This way, we can work collectively and effectively as a team to uphold Nigeria’s values and ensure that our citizens are not exploited under any circumstances or for any reason.”

The Abia Diaspora Commission boss further expressed gratitude to NAPTIP for its sustained efforts in curbing human trafficking across the country, reaffirming her Commission’s commitment to supporting the agency’s initiatives.

“For my State Abia, our dear governor is a man that is committed to following due process and he wants every son and daughter of Abia State to be safe,” she noted.

In her response, the NAPTIP Director General, Hajiya Binta Adamu Bello, welcomed the Abia State delegation and lauded Governor Otti’s proactive leadership and commitment to eradicating human trafficking. She emphasized that meaningful progress in the fight against trafficking could only be achieved through strong institutional partnerships at both the national and sub-national levels.

She also announced that plans were underway to inaugurate a State Task Force against Human Trafficking in Abia State, which would be jointly established by NAPTIP in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The initiative, according to her, will strengthen grassroots monitoring and improve victim support mechanisms.

Other senior NAPTIP officials present at the meeting included Mrs. Kehinde Abigail Komolafe, Director of Public Enlightenment, and Mrs. Angela Agbayekhai, Director of the Counselling and Rehabilitation Department. Both officials briefed the delegation on the agency’s operational framework, highlighting its five-pronged approach — prevention, protection, prosecution, partnership, and policy.

They further noted that internal trafficking remains more prevalent than external trafficking in Nigeria, citing persistent cases of child labour, baby factories, and underage domestic servitude as major challenges demanding urgent attention.

The visit, which marked a significant step towards strengthening institutional cooperation between the Abia State Diaspora Commission and NAPTIP, is expected to yield lasting solutions to human trafficking and exploitation while promoting the safety and welfare of Abians and Nigerians across the world.