Trafficking: NAPTIP to continue partnership with Benin Republic

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffick in Persons and other Related Matters has pledged its commitment to success of

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffick in Persons and other Related Matters has pledged its commitment to success of the partnership with the Republic of Benin to facilitate the implementation of its mandate, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

The Executive Secretary, NAPTIP, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, made the pledge in Abeokuta on Thursday at the end of the 9th Nigeria/ Benin Joint Technical Committee meeting on Trafficking in Persons.

She said the partnership would help both nations to achieve the objective of phasing out human trafficking and increase “the dignity of man.”

A communiqué issued at the end of the four-day meeting was jointly signed by Jedy-Agba and Emile Ekpinse, the Deputy Secretary-General, Ministry of Family and Social Affairs, Republic of Benin.

It said the regional status on child trafficking indicated that Nigeria and Benin were sources, transit and destination countries for the illegal practice.

The communique noted that the development had facilitated the signing of a bilateral agreement between the two countries to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in women and children.

It said a joint technical committee had been established to coordinate, develop and implement joint annual plans to identify endemic communities and make appropriate intervention.

The communiqué noted that the joint task force action had resulted in the reduction of the number of children in quarries, street hawking, begging and sexual exploitation in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

It urged governments of both countries to evolve measures that would ensure the continuity of the intervention programmes in Abeokuta and Zakpota, Benin Republic.

The meeting resolved that the intervention programmes should be extended to endemic communities in Nigeria and Benin, where there were prevalence of domestic servitude, street hawking, begging, sexual exploitation and plantation work.

The two countries resolved that Nigeria/Benin as well as Abeokuta/Zakpoti joint action and joint intelligence/law enforcement action plans be adopted for 2012.

The meeting resolved to hold the 10th joint technical committee meeting in Benin Republic in December to review the year’s plans and evolve new ones for 2013.