Lagos, federal agency partner to tackle human trafficking

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) in finding solutions to the issue of human trafficking and migration displacement.

Sanwo-Olu spoke when a team from NCFRMI paid him a courtesy visit on Tuesday. The team was led by the Federal Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Aliyu Tijani Ahmed, received by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat on behalf of the governor.

The governor lamented the negative image human trafficking has given the country and promised that the state government is willing to give all necessary support to the commission to stop human trafficking.

“The commission can change the negative narrative of our country in terms of what a very small percentage of us do negatively, and some people who take advantage of our young people, who are unknown to them.

“As a government, we are willing to assist you with whatever you need. We want the support to be tangible and impactful, not only to the displaced or the migrants but also to the children across the country,” he said.

He charged the commission on advocacy of sign language, stressing that Nigerians must be able to communicate through sign languages when in distress, particularly signs on kidnapping, adding that such signs must be known by the general public, security agencies, airport attendants, and children.

He further urged the commission to enlighten Nigerian youths about the realities of migrating to Europe and other Western countries, highlighting that these regions do not necessarily offer the promise of a better life.

Sanwo-Olu added that the recent visa ban and all other policies put in place are to prevent Nigerian youth from indiscriminate immigration due to the wrong impression they have about Nigeria.

The governor urged the commission to disseminate this crucial information that success can be achieved not only in western countries, asking the Commission to collaborate with the state government to pass it on to stakeholders who interact with local communities.

The Federal Commissioner, Hon. Ahmed said that the team chose Lagos as the venue for its November meeting because of the support it has been receiving from the Lagos State government.

He said that the purpose of the visit is to solicit the assistance of the Lagos State Government for the meeting which will have in attendance participants from other African and European countries, adding that the meeting will address the issue of human trafficking on the continent.

Tijani added that the November 4th to 5th meeting tagged ‘Rabat/Khartoum Joint Thematic Meeting on Human Trafficking and the Smuggling of Migrants’ is a collaboration between the Rabat and Khartoum Processes.

He noted that the Khartoum Process is a complementary dialogue to the Rabat Process, which focuses on migration routes from the Horn of Africa to Europe and addresses critical issues such as human trafficking, smuggling of migrants, voluntary return and reintegration, border management, and the protection of vulnerable migrants.

He added that the meeting will be co-chaired by France and delegates will exchange experiences, share best practices, and reinforce cooperation.

The Commissioner appealed to the state government for support in areas such as transportation, security, and other logistical needs.

“One of the major issues we are facing in Nigeria and the world is human trafficking. You know Nigeria is known for this and the meeting is to discuss the issue extensively with other countries of the world especially Europe and Africa countries,” Tijani said.