Independent Newspaper Nigeria

Benue has topped Nigeria’s human trafficking list for 3 years running – Bai, NAPTIP Commander

…International warning on sexual exploitation in IDP camps, alarming – DG, BICD

TOR VANDE-ACKA
MAKURDI

Gloria Bai, Commandant of the National Unit for the Prohibition of Human Trafficking (NAPTIP) in Benue State, said the number of victims of human trafficking from Benue is increasing annually.

The Director General (DG) of the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Leo-Angelo Viashima, also endorsed the report, noting that the international warning about abuses and child trafficking among displaced persons in the state was alarming. The problems of sexual exploitation were also appalling.

The NAPTIP Commander, however, painted a bleak picture of the future of victims of human trafficking, including children. He noted that Benue tops the list of states dealing with child trafficking and has held that top position in Nigeria for three years running.

Bai, co-chair of Operation Save the Benue Child (OSBC), said the narrative needs to change. She also explained that the Human Trafficking Taskforce, which was established in February 2021, is working hard to address the issues of human trafficking in the state.

She pointed out that OSBC is a multi-stakeholder project, while noting that the Taskforce was working on a strategy to address issues such as child trafficking, child labor, rape and incest.

Bai, who said this in her speech at the opening ceremony of the OSBC in Makurdi last weekend, said: “Our reports have shown that the problems are really increasing; some are aware of it while others are not aware (of the problems) and we also saw the gaps; one of them is the prevention aspect, creating awareness and the need to get all other actors on board to combat human trafficking.

“NAPTIP has noticed that the numbers in Benue are going up. That doesn’t look good; Benue has been on top for three years in a row and that doesn’t look good. So I felt we should do something to put Benue in a different light

“So we got to work and came up with the idea of ​​OSBC. This project is primarily aimed at mobilizing stakeholders from different sectors to work together effectively in the fight against child trafficking, rape and other related crimes through a multi-faceted approach, to create a safe environment for the youth of Benue State.

“For me, prosecution is key and one of the fastest prosecutions we had was the lady who trafficked the girls from Ivory Coast; she was summoned that day and she took her plea and was convicted that day. And it gives us joy that if the judiciary is strengthened to ensure swift legal actions, it will serve as a deterrent to others.

“The OSBC is a project that ensures that all stakeholders are involved. We see it as a strategic plan for Benue State to address all the issues of child trafficking, child labour, rape, incest and all those things. And you know the VAPP law has been domesticated in Benue but its implementation had some challenges so we need to see the actual implementation of the VAPP law,” she argued.

Meanwhile, the DG, BICD, Leo-Angelo Viashima, who stressed that the figures of child abuse and trafficking are alarming, assured that the state government is working to ensure that all pending policies relating to child rights are transposed into law before the end of the third quarter (July, August and September).

He said: “His Excellency is giving that committee (Operation Save the Benue Child) a timeline so that the Attorney General, while he is working to accelerate action on this particular policy of child trafficking and the legislation on human trafficking, can get started first.

“But we know that overall, regardless of what happens, before the end of this quarter, every outstanding policy in this state that is justified and has undergone the review and has no reason to go back, will be enacted into law.

“The micro-level implications of not having these policies are quite significant for us; the state disapproves of these vices, if they exist at all, and because they exist, we disapprove of them.

“The MSF report on child trafficking and sexual exploitation in our IDP camps is appalling. The international warning about abuse in our camps and of course child trafficking is also very alarming. Now I can’t wish them away, but in a way we also join some of those in the speeches we heard today.

“So it is good that we all put our heads together and see how we can work on that as much as possible. We will always be together against human trafficking,” he assured.