NiDCOM Calls for Stronger Collaboration to Combat Trafficking

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Abike Dabiri-Erewa [Photo credit: BBC]

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged governments, agencies, and stakeholders to intensify efforts in the fight against human trafficking, calling for traffickers to be "named and shamed" to deter criminal activities.  

Dabiri-Erewa made the appeal during a strategic meeting with Binta Bello, Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), on Friday in Abuja. She emphasized the need for stricter penalties and stronger inter-agency collaboration to curb the rising menace.  

The NiDCOM boss stressed the importance of closer cooperation between NAPTIP, NiDCOM, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), and other sister agencies. She also advocated for more flexible policies and increased funding to enhance NAPTIP’s capacity to combat trafficking effectively.  

Dabiri-Erewa commended the efforts of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), neighboring governments, Nigerian diaspora communities, Wema Bank, and NGOs for their roles in rescuing and reintegrating victims.  

NAPTIP’s Director-General, Binta Bello, expressed gratitude for NiDCOM’s support, particularly in the recent rescue of 231 young Nigerians from Ghana. She revealed shocking cases, including 19 pregnant girls rescued from an Abuja estate, all impregnated by one man, and nine girls repatriated from Côte d’Ivoire.  

Bello emphasized that tackling human trafficking requires a united effort from government, civil society, and key stakeholders. She called for **more awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians on the dangers of trafficking and reaffirmed NAPTIP’s commitment to protecting victims’ rights and dignity.  

Dabiri-Erewa pledged NiDCOM’s continued partnership with NAPTIP, stating, “We will continue to do our best to save these young ones and encourage safe and regular pathways for migration.”  

As Nigeria intensifies its fight against human trafficking, this collaboration signals a stronger, more coordinated approach to dismantle trafficking networks and protect vulnerable citizens.  

(NAN)