Human trafficking is a crime in Nigeria that violates the right of movement of an individual and the exploitation of individuals be it children, youths, women, and the aged. Human trafficking takes several forms but the following are broad categories of human trafficking; child labor, forced labour, sex trafficking, organ trade traffic, and forced marriage. In Nigeria, the governing legislation that works to eradicate the negative effect of human trafficking is the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Acts. Nigeria acts source, transit and destination country for human trafficking, hence, there are several agencies that are involved in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.
This is a list of agencies that fight human trafficking in Nigeria:
-
National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)
With the establishment of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act in 2003, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) was charged with the responsibility of mitigating the negative influence and activities of human trafficking in Nigeria. The 2003 Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003 has been however replaced with the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act of 2015 in a bid to further empower the NAPTIP.
Such powers of NAPTIP include; investigation of persons and establishments perceived to be involved In human trafficking and related offenses, and also the capability to arrest, detain and prosecute offenders as permitted by the Act. NAPTIP also possesses the power to track, confiscate and detain any property that engages in human trafficking for the purpose of investigation. The NAPTIP also carries out rehabilitation, protection, and assistance of victims of human trafficking, as well as the supervision, control, and coordination of anti-human trafficking activities in Nigeria.
-
Coalition Against Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children (CAHTSEC)
This is a non-profit organization established in 1998 that engages in strategies to prevent and combat human trafficking and other related offenses in Nigeria. CAHTSEC employs strategies such; advocacy, awareness creation, provision of technical support, rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking, prosecution of offenders and collaboration with relevant agencies in the fight against human trafficking involving women and children, sexual violence, and child slavery.
-
Devatop Centre for Africa Development (DCAD)
This anti-human trafficking and anti-human rights organization in Nigeria is focused on combating social ills such as human trafficking, gender-based violence, irregular migration and also supporting vulnerable youths in Nigeria. This organization applies advocacy, training of young children and girls, community projects, sensitization campaigns, volunteering, and assistance to victims of human trafficking in Nigeria, as approaches towards attaining its set objectives.
-
Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT)
This Edi State Task Force Against Human Trafficking was set up by the Edo State Government as a panacea for human trafficking and irregular migration in the state. The objectives of the ETAHT centre on the reduction of human trafficking activities in Edo, rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking, and the assistance and reintegration of victims. The Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking also collaborates with agencies and organizations with similar goals and objectives towards addressing the menace of human trafficking in Edo State.
-
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)
The Nigeria Immigration Service is duly charged with migration management in Nigeria. The role that the Nigeria Immigration Service renders in the fight against trafficking in persons includes, application of techniques aimed at gathering information and intelligence required to tackle trafficking in Nigeria. The Nigeria Immigration Service also ensures that the integrity of the issuance of passports is not compromised.
-
Pathfinders Justice Initiative (PJI)
Pathfinder Justice Initiative is the brainchild of Miss Evon Benson Idahosa who is the founder and executive director. The organization sets out to prevent sex slavery, sexual violence rescue enslaved women and girls. The PJI focuses on the eradication of root causes in order to stem the tide of the menace of these social deviations from norms and laws in Nigeria. With core values as compassion, accountability, inclusivity, provision of access to counseling, legal services, and vocational skills, the Pathfinders Justice Institute strives to achieve set objectives of the prevention of sex slavery, sexual violence, and human trafficking offenses in Nigeria.
-
Viable Knowledge Masters (VKM)
The Viable Knowledge Masters is a health and development company that assists in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria by offering valuable information on baby factories and infant trafficking in Nigeria. Aside from VKM’s interest in tackling trafficking in person, the health and development consultancy company also indicates interest in; HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, child abuse, and financial management.
-
Women’s Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON)
The Women’s Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON) was established in 1995 by Late Chief Olateru Olagbegi, as a non-governmental organization charged with the discharge of functions that include; campaign against gender-based violence and trafficking in women, youth, and children. The WOCON is focused on the accomplishment of equality, development, and peace in Nigeria through the enforcement of the rights of women and children. The areas on the interest of the Women’s Consortium of Nigeria include; human trafficking(women and child trafficking), violence against women, civic enlightenment and sensitization, sexual exploitations of children, and education directed at women and children.
-
Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF)
Mrs Amina Titi Atiku-Abubakar, the wife of the former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, founded WOTCLEF in 1999. The WOTCLEF has been the foremost agency responsible for engaging in activities directed at eradicating women trafficking and child labour in Nigeria. The creation of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) was set in motion by the recommendation of WOTCLEF for the Federal Government to enact laws against human trafficking in Nigeria. The Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation have partnered with national and international or organizations in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria. Victims of human trafficking and child labour are rehabilitated, empowered with relevant training, information and sensitization, and Re integrated into society.