The Minister of State
for Immigration, MS Caroline Noakes said this on Tuesday in Lagos during her
visit to some facilities of the National Agency for the Prohibition of
Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Noakes, a Conservative
MP for Romsey and Southampton North, expressed displeasure over the high number
of NAPTIP cases pending in different courts in Nigeria.
The minister said that
she would ensure complete prosecution of all the agency’s cases in the UK.
“We had a recent good
success where the UK government, law enforcement agencies collaborated with
Nigeria in prosecuting human trafficker. It is a huge step forward to share
information, share expertise.
“I am really
appreciative of the Nigeria officials coming to the UK to give evidence in
court to prosecute trafficker. That is a huge forward, “ Noakes said.
She commended the
works done on NAPTIP facilities in Lagos, stressing that within few weeks of
approving money for renovation, the facilities had gone beyond their
expectations.
“I am here to see the
change made on NAPTIP facilities by the UK government. In just few weeks, the
work done is impressive. The facilities are being change for vulnerable women
and people trafficked.
“It will be a safe
place for them to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into the Nigeria society.
The facilities would help the victims to be comfortable and go through
rehabilitation,” the minister said.
Caroline Noakes was
appointed Minister of State for Immigration on Jan. 8, 2018, while she was
elected Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North in 2010.
The NAPTIP Southwest
Zonal Commander, Mrs Kehinde Akomolafe, who received the Minister on behalf of
the Director General, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, commended the British government
for the assistance.
Akomolafe said the
responsibility of NAPTIP was huge which needed more assistance in any way
possible.
She said the agency’s
management was doing its best with the available resources, stressing that more
suspected traffickers were being prosecuted with 11 cases currently pending at various
courts in Nigeria.
Akomlafe said one of
their officials was in the UK to testify in a case of human trafficking against
one Cassandra Iyamu, assuring the Minister of more collaboration.
The News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN), reports that the British Minister inspected building facility
located at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja currently
occupied by NAPTIP and NDLEA.
She also visited
NAPTIP shelters for victims within the state.
The Airport commander
of NDLEA, Mr Ahmadu Garbage and that of NAPTIP, Mr Taiwo Waheed were also on
hand to receive the minister
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