The Denmark Ambassador to Nigeria, Sune Krogstrup, has called for more public awareness and improved border security to curb human trafficking and irregular migration from Nigeria.

Mr Krogstrup made the call on Sunday while speaking with journalists on the sideline of a documentary premiere titled “I wish I Knew” in Abuja.

The documentary was produced by MeCAHT, in partnership with EXIST, and funding from the ministry of foreign affairs of Denmark.

The envoy, who decried the global problem of human trafficking, advised that all hands be on deck to address the challenge in Nigeria.

“Denmark has been a supporter of organisations such as MeCAHT who is producing advocacy initiatives aimed at combating trafficking and irregular migration.

“The focus of our support for this project is very much about awareness raising, but there are other elements such as border security and border management which we have also done with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the UN.

“We have also worked with the organisation called International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) to boost the capacity of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to address issues related to irregular migration, ” he said.

The envoy described irregular migration and human trafficking as complex issues that require holistic measures to curtail.

He said that statistics available to him showed that Nigerians top the list of victims trafficked to Denmark, hence the need for more public awareness and enlightenment.

“Denmark is a relatively small country in northern Europe, and yet what we are seeing in statistics is that Nigerians are on top of the list in terms of victims of trafficking.

“These are typically young women that are trafficked for what is now called sex trafficking, so it’s a huge tragedy.

“And the Danish government will continue to play its part in combating this, because it’s also a human right issue for the Nigerians being trafficked,” he said.

Mr Krogstrup emphasised the need for stronger synergy among organisations such as NAPTIP, MeCAHT and IOM in identifying and reaching out to vulnerable communities across Nigeria, to prevent them from becoming victims of human trafficking.

Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery which involves the illegal trade of people for exploitation or commercial gain and is estimated to be a 150 billion dollars global industry.

(NAN)