By Edith Nwapi and Magdalene Ukuedojor
Abuja, – Mrs Carol Ndaguba, first Executive Secretary, National Agency For the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP), says human trafficking remains a global challenge.
Ndaguba said this in a paper presentation at the first Conference for West African Association of Women Judges and Nigerian Association of Women Judges in Abuja on Saturday.
She revealed that “global index estimates that 45.8 million people are subjected to some form of modern slavery in the world today; the index presented a ranking of 167 countries.
“Human trafficking, especially of women and girls, remains a major challenge to the global community and in West African sub-region.
“This phenomenon constitutes a threat to human and national security and fuels other crimes such as drug trafficking and money laundering.
“Member states must rise to this challenge by strengthening both legal and institutional frameworks to combat this scourge.
“Laws should be strengthened and enforced fairly to ensure deterrence, while victims are given adequate protection and support.’’
The NAPTIP former boss said addressing the phenomenon required sharper strategy and intelligent implementation of theoretical and practical solutions.
According to her, the starting point is for West African governments to understand and objectively accept the existence of the phenomenon as serious regional and international problem.
She explained that human trafficking was a euphemism for modern day slavery which was not different from the ancient slave trade.
She added that “in modern times, the business of trafficking, though having retained some elements of its primitive form, has metamorphosed into sophisticated trade, thereby guaranteeing its survival.”
Ndaguba noted that trafficking of women from West Africa to Europe was said to be at crisis level, noting that “UN estimate showed 80 per cent of Nigerian women who travelled to Italy in 2016 were trafficked into prostitution.
“It also estimated that about 3,600 Nigerian women who arrived Italy in that same period doubled the number in the same period of 2015.”
She said that the most rampant purpose for trafficking in West Africa was forced labour and commercial sex, which she described as worrisome.
She identified other causes of trafficking in Africa as — tradition of migration, traditional practices in Africa and poverty.
Other causes, she said, were armed conflict, internal civil wars, lack of birth registration, illiteracy, ignorance, greed, parental neglect and the lack of opportunities.
According to her, some ECOWAS policies and strategies, especially those on free-movement of persons, should be established to ensure that human traffickers and smugglers do not exploit the provisions of protocol to foster their nefarious practices.
“Member states should commit more resources to combating human trafficking, especially female trafficking within the region and introduce social safety.
“Accordingly, increase vigilance at border points through strengthening of law enforcement institutions that man border points in the sub-region through public awareness.
“To this end, traditional practices that may promote trafficking of young girls would be discouraged.
“Anti-trafficking division of ECOWAS should be reinforced to meet with modern demands in anti-trafficking efforts and establish a platform for identification, sharing and implementation of best practices.’’ (NAN)
