By Abiemwense Moru
Human trafficking is a heinous crime that affects millions of people worldwide, with corruption playing a significant role in its perpetuation.
Corrupt officials, businesses, and individuals facilitate and profit from this illicit trade, making it difficult to combat.
However, sincere efforts to fight corruption can help dismantle human trafficking networks and bring perpetrators to justice.
Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, the Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), recommended the strengthening of legal framework as a step towards combating corruption in human trafficking.
The NAPTIP boss made the recommendation in her research paper presented at the 8th inaugural lecture series of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in Abuja.
The paper is titled, “The Interplay between Corruption and Human Trafficking Epidemic: The Implications and Solutions for Nigeria”.
Waziri-Azi said that the reasons why arrests, investigations and prosecutions had not been successful in human trafficking issues were because of endemic, high-level corruption.
According to her, if corruption is collectively addressed, it will help to effectively combat human trafficking.
The NAPTIP boss said that strengthening the country’s legal framework would help immensely in ending the prevalent human trafficking challenge.
She recommended the strengthening of the country’s domestic laws on trafficking in persons to be in line with international standards.
“The Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration (TIPPEA) Act 2015 should be amended to include corruption-related human trafficking issues.
“A new section may be introduced, or section 34, which provides for tampering with the evidence and witnesses may be amended.
“The section may also make it illegal for public officials to use their offices or positions to impede investigation, prosecution, or execution of a lawful order under the TIPPEA Act,” she said.
“She suggested that erring officials should be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not less than seven years, or to a fine not less than two million Naira, or both.
“An additional subsection may also be added to provide that any government official who issues travel documents or facilitate the issuance of same without following the prescribed procedures provided for by law to stop the arrest of offender shall be held liable’,” she said.
Waziri-Azi also recommended the enhancing of law enforcement capacities, promoting transparency, accountability, and framework of integrity for public officers.
She also called for other joint collaborative efforts of all stakeholders like Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and others, as well as integration of the National Action Plan on human trafficking.
She further recommended the enhancement of investigation of corruption-related issues, whistle blower and witness protection mechanism, and transparent and stringent recruitment of staff who work in the risk sectors.
Dr Oduware Ogboro-Okor, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, recounted her experience with suspected human traffickers.
Ogboror-Okor said that human trafficking was prevalent in Edo state, where she hailed from.
According to her, this is the location which evidence based on literature, has exposed as having one of the highest burdens of human trafficking in the world.
“Thus, I have a deep familiarity with the culture, myths, belief systems, language and struggles of people in this locality.
“Secondly, I lost my father and the family breadwinner at an early age.
“The hunger and poverty we passed through exposed me to the vulnerabilities of trafficking and multiple approaches by many keen “gatekeepers” in the trafficking business, which I managed to navigate,” she said.
She said that she understood the laws put in place by the government of the United Kingdom, having lived there, and having worked in the National Health Service (NHS) for over two decades.
“I understand the efforts and laws put in place by the government of the UK and, by extension, the governments of other host nations to human trafficking.
“I have witnessed how many people from my home place of Edo do not engage with the support system set up in those places to tackle the crime of human trafficking,” she said.
She said that July 30 every year is set aside as the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
“This year, with the theme, “Leave no child behind in the fight against human trafficking”, it is prioritising why we must ensure that we truncate the dense trafficking of children that has remained persistent on the highways of modern-day slavery.
“The message is for us to “focus on our focus”, she said.
Ogboro-Okor said that Human Trafficking and Contemporary Slavery (HTCS) from source countries to host countries had metamorphosed through years.
“In sharp contrast to historical slavery systems characterised by whips, chains and imprisonment, modern day slavery is driven underground, typically with no obvious signs of restraint.
“Rather, psychological abuse, coercion, grooming and manipulation play powerful roles,” she said.
Records at the UN show that human trafficking has become the world’s third largest crime, estimating that traffickers earn 150 million dollars annually, smuggling people between Africa and Europe.
The global organisation also estimated that one out of every threevictims trafficked internationally is a child.
Recently, Operatives of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) Ilela border command, Sokoto State, arrested 25 year-old, Rukaya Hassan, who attempted to traffic two underage girls across the border to Niger Republic.
The Command Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Mohammed Abdullahi, said that the victims had been handed over to NAPTIP for further investigations.
He said that the young lady who resided in Giribshi area of the state confessed that she did not know the two young girls she was travelling with to Niger.
“She claimed that they were handed over to her by one woman in Sokoto, Maman Adnan, who paid for their transport to Niger.
“She also claimed that the woman requested her to help take the two girls to another woman in Niger, named Amina Yunusa, to give them jobs in her restaurant in Niamey, Abdullahi said.
As the world continues to grapple with the challenge of human trafficking, stakeholders believe that combating corruption is crucial to ending the scourge.
By addressing the root causes of corruption, human traffickers can be prevented from exploiting vulnerable individuals and communities.
Through a multi-faceted approach that includes strengthening laws, improving transparency, enhancing international cooperation, supporting victims, and promoting public awareness, authorities can create a safer and more just world for all. (NANFeatures)
