WASHINGTON – The U.S. State Department has named 10 TIP (Trafficking In Persons) Report Heroes, among them Executive Secretary of NAPTIP, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba. During the unveiling of the 2014 TIP Report on June 20, Mrs. Jedy-Agba was personally honored by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for her outstanding work to combat trafficking in persons. Additionally, Mrs. Jedy-Agba and the other TIP Heroes are currently participating in a 10-day International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) that includes meetings with their American counterparts who are working to combat trafficking in the U.S.
Each year the Department of State honors individuals around the world who have devoted their lives to the fight against human trafficking. These individuals are NGO workers, lawmakers, police officers, and concerned citizens who are committed to ending modern slavery. They are recognized for their tireless efforts—often despite resistance, opposition, and threats to their lives—to protect victims, punish offenders, and prevent human trafficking in their countries and abroad.
The 2014 TIP Report, which lists Nigeria as “Tier 2”, states “The Government of Nigeria does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. During the reporting period, the government demonstrated an increase in anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts by increasing the number of trafficking investigations, prosecutions and convictions and by providing extensive specialized anti-trafficking training to officials from various government ministries and agencies. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) increased protection efforts by developing a formal referral mechanism for victim protection, increasing the capacity of its shelters, and identifying and providing services to a larger number of victims. Despite these efforts, the government has yet to pass draft legislation that would restrict the ability of judges to offer fines in lieu of prison time during sentencing and, with the exception of receiving training from NAPTIP, the Ministry of Labor did not make any new efforts to address labor trafficking during the reporting period. Additionally, despite the growing number of Nigerian trafficking victims identified abroad, the government has yet to implement formal procedures for the return and reintegration of Nigerian victims.”
The TIP Report contains specific recommendations for the government of Nigeria to consider implementing over the coming year to come into compliance with the minimum standards outlined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.