Kwara govt reiterates commitment to end human trafficking
In a bid to live a meaningful life, the Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to eradicating human trafficking in the state to enable the residents of the state to exercise their fundamental human rights.
The Attorney General and State Commissioner for Justice and Senior Ibrahim Sulyman Esq., who doubles as the Chairman, Kwara State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (TAHT), during a press briefing in commemoration of the European Union Anti Trafficking Day 2024 on Friday, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to partner with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other relevant stakeholders to prevent human trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute perpetrators of the evil act.
According to him, over 200 cases were treated in the year 2022 by TaskForce, who equally embarked on sensitisation exercises in some Local Government Areas of the state to enlighten the masses.
The Attorney General, while stressing the importance of collaboration with relevant stakeholders in combating human trafficking, such as Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking Persons (NAPTIP), traditional and religious leaders, academics and other stakeholders, assured the gathering that, the present government under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, would enhance the capacity of law enforcement Agents, through training and other capacity building programmes, for judicial officers, as well as support victims, to better their lives.
The Justice Commissioner disclosed further that the government would share intelligence and best practices to identify and disrupt trafficking networks, provide support for victims and their families, and ensure justice for and rehabilitation of victims.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the co-chairman of the State Taskforce Committee, the State Commandant of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking Persons, Alhaji Mustapha Ajara, disclosed that the day is set aside by the European Union to fight human trafficking, adding that irregular migration can lead to human trafficking; therefore there’s need to double efforts so that perpetrators could be brought to book.
The Secretary of the Committee, Barrister Funke Balogun, appreciated the State Government for setting up the task force in the State to ensure that victims are protected and perpetrators are brought to book while reiterating that the task force needs the support of the state government to operate effectively, adding that some states have established Anti-Human Trafficking Agencies therefore, Kwara State could adopt same, being a transit and supply State.
The Coordinator, Network Against Child Trafficking Abuse and Labour, Kwara State Chapter, Mr. Olufemi Oyedeji, solicited more support from the Chairman to ensure enforcement of the law on human trafficking and perpetrators are jailed appropriately.
