Nigeria and France Launch Initiative Against Human Trafficking

The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated a regional project in partnership with France to enhance the fight against human trafficking. The PROTECT Regional Project, funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and implemented by Expertise France, aims to disrupt trafficking networks rather than just arrest individual suspects.

This initiative covers five countries: Nigeria, Benin, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Togo, and was officially launched at a validation workshop in Abuja. Binta Adamu-Bello, the Director-General of NAPTIP, highlighted the increasing use of digital platforms by traffickers to exploit vulnerable populations.

She noted that trafficking has evolved beyond traditional methods, necessitating a comprehensive response that includes public enlightenment and victim support services. Adamu-Bello also pointed out the challenges posed by delays in the judicial process and called for improved collaboration with judicial institutions to ensure timely case resolutions.

The agency is enhancing its investigative capabilities to tackle technology-facilitated trafficking and aims to target the financial aspects of trafficking operations.