The NAPTIP boss, who was represented by the Director, Legal
and Prosecution Department of the Agency, Mr. Abdulrahim Opotu Shaibu made this
known at the sensitization workshop organised by NAPTIP in Lagos to inform
travel agents, tour operators and airline operators of their responsibilities in
combating human trafficking, which include sensitizing their clients and staff,
not aiding human trafficking activities, and including a clause in their
contract agreement which stipulates that the travelers they issue tickets to,
or arrange tours for shall not be exploited at their places of destination.
She further informed them that the penalty for aiding and
abetting a human trafficker, intentionally or unintentionally upon conviction
is jail term and a fine of not more than ten million naira. According to her, “tour
operators and travel agents cannot afford to passively sit by while human
trafficking is promoted through their means of livelihood”, and she enjoined them
to “recognize signs of trafficking and possible exploitation and how to report
such cases to the Agency”.
Dame Julie Okah-Donli opined that tour Operators and travel
Agents represent the gateways in and out of the country; therefore they play a
unique role in protecting would-be victims of human trafficking and identify
traffickers who travel with them. She therefore encouraged them to partner with
government agencies, especially those who are front line responders, such as
NAPTIP, as well as non-profit organizations to stop human trafficking and to
help survivors rebuild their lives.
In his remarks, the representative of the Murtala Mohhamed Airport
Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr. Nsikak-Abasi Udoh,
lauded NAPTIP for their doggedness in the fight against human trafficking. He
praised the tenacity of the Director-General in bringing human trafficking
issues to the consciousness of Nigerian with the massive awareness campaigns
embarked upon by the Agency across the country.
In his presentation, the Zonal Commander, NAPTIP Lagos Zonal
Command, Mr. Joseph Famakin stressed the importance of partnership in fighting
human trafficking as the job of combating trafficking in persons is far too
tasking and important to be left in the hands of the Agency alone, and security
is every body’s business.
The Director of Public Enlightenment, Mr. Arinze Orakwue in
his address assured the participants that it is not the intention of NAPTIP to
shut down their operations or have them arrested, rather to educate them on
what the law says and get them onboard as the Agency’s partner in progress to
ensure that travelers who enlist their services either as tour operators or
travel agents do not end up as victims of human trafficking at their
destination countries.
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