The Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) in collaboration with A-TIPSOM on Wednesday inaugurated a platform against human trafficking to facilitate information sharing among West Africa countries.

A-TIPSOM (Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants) is a project working against human trafficking in Nigeria.
The platform is “West Africa Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants.”

Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja, Abdulganiyu Abubakar, NACTAL national president, said the platform would aid information sharing among West Africa countries.

Mr Abubakar said trafficking in persons was a transnational organised crime and among the largest criminal industries, where those involved worked in a group, hence the need to collaborate with countries.

“Partnership and collaboration is key to addressing the menace of trafficking, we need to have a very formidable platform, that is the essence of this programme,” he said.

Julie Okah-Donli, the United Nations chairperson in charge of fund meant for victims of trafficking appreciated the partnership, saying collaboration between countries was a problem that hampered information sharing on human trafficking.

“All the relevant NGOs, everybody will be on this platform as well as other West Africa countries, sharing information, having referrals to different relevant stakeholders in terms of prosecution, counselling and others,” she said.

The Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Fatima Waziri-Azi, represented by Gav Festus, Assistant Director, Department of Research and Programme Development, NAPTIP, said the collaboration was needed.

(NAN)