The Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour has called on stakeholders to ensure precautionary measures to protect vulnerable women and children against exploitation following displacements by floods in Borno State.

The NACTAL’s National President, Abdulganiyu Abubakar, made the call at a press briefing on Friday in Sokoto.

Mr Abubakar commiserated with the Borno State Government, people and the Federal Government over the disaster and alerted the authorities to likely trafficking, irregular migration and forms of abuses of victims.

He said, “Maiduguri flood disaster caused deaths, displacements and missing of persons and property destruction worth millions of naira. We are alerting member organisations of NACTAL Nigeria and other CSOs to activate protection mechanisms available to protect women and children especially in Borno state and Nigeria. At least 200,000 persons  were displaced with an estimated 200 missing, just as the flood affected the palace of the Shehu of Borno, among other key structures in parts of Maiduguri metropolis.’’

He urged the critical stakeholders to convene a meeting of agencies working in the area of trafficking in persons and irregular migration for an emergency plan.

He added that it was to provide protection for women and children against ‘Trafficking In Person and Smuggling of Migrants.’

He noted, “The unfortunate and disheartening situation is likely to fuel incidences of trafficking, sexual abuse and exploitation and irregular migration of women and children. This is also a wakeup call to the leadership of NAPTIP at all levels to remain vigilant and work closely with CSOs in identifying potential cases of trafficking.

”This is in order to ensure that adequate protection measures are provided to women and children within the challenging period.’’

The national president appealed to the media to remain unbiased in collaboration with CSOs and communities to report suspected cases of human trafficking and migrant smuggling to the relevant authorities.

Mr Abubakar explained that many persons were currently at the Internally Displaced Persons camps with some scouting for the protection they can get elsewhere.

Calling on the development partners to come to the aid of the vulnerable in the current trying moments, the president also disclosed that NACTAL shelter facilities were open and available across the 36 states.

“We have two shelters in Sokoto; Save the Child and the Freedom for Life, while some CSOs would be providing the expertise and active network engagements with NACTAL,” Mr Abubakar stressed.

According to him, NACTAL Nigeria, regional representative of the West Africa Coalition Against Trafficking In Persons and Smuggling of Migrants appeals to the governments and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for speedy intervention.

Other organisations that required their immediate action include; IOM Nigeria, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, the National Commission For Refugee Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.

He said they were expected to be working in the area of trafficking in persons and irregular migration.

This is to develop an emergency plan on how to provide protection for women and children against Trafficking In Person and Smuggling of Migrants.

Speaking also, the FOMWAN representative, Hajiya Mufeedat Muhammad, said the devastating floods situation in Borno was a monumental calamity.

She said it had affected mostly women and children, hence required urgent social intervention and relief to bring succour to the affected families.

She appealed to the government and development partners to support those affected.

Muhammad urged precautionary measures to protect victims against all forms of abuses and ensure that all support were channelled to the real beneficiaries.

 (NAN)