Travel agencies, tour operators engaging in organ trafficking: NAPTIP
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has accused travel agencies and tour operators across Nigeria of engaging in organ trafficking while giving owners of private shelters offering services for trafficked persons in Nigeria a 30-day ultimatum to obtain their clearance certificates.
The ultimatum, which takes effect on Wednesday, was handed down by NAPTIP director-general Fatima Waziri-Azi in Abuja.
The director-general disclosed that NAPTIP was closing in on travel agents and tour operators involved in the recruitment of Nigerians for labour outside the country.
She accused the agencies of trafficking children overseas to engage in different forms of labour without obtaining the requisite clearance certificates from NAPTIP.
She explained that many hid under the façade of being a travel agent, tour operator or recruiter of labour to deceive, defraud, and lure naïve victims to foreign countries for the purpose of exploiting them.
Ms Waziri-Azi said some of the children experienced sexual exploitation, forced labour, debt bondage, slavery and that organs of some of these children are removed.
The ultimatum is based on the powers given to the agency under the Trafficking in Persons (Control of Activities of Organisations and Centres) Regulations 2019 and the resolve of the agency to give more effect to it after the grace period earlier given to the organisations to comply has expired.
“This legislation was necessitated by the disturbing cases of trafficking in persons by Nigerians. Trafficking activities are done under the guise of education, cultural and musical excursions; labour migration; and sporting related travels to foreign countries, especially the Middle East, Eastern, and Central Europe,” stated Ms Waziri-Azi.
She stated that the trafficking in person (Control of Activities of Organisations and Centres) Regulations, 2019, was in place to ensure that labour recruitment, travel agents, tour operations and operators of shelters and rehabilitation homes operate within the ambit of law.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Lagos
Ibeju-Lekki council begins flood control interventions in communities
He said the council had deployed swamp buggies, drainage-clearing equipment and pumping machines to tackle flooding in communities across the LGA.
World
Trump vows U.S. control of Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions
“We are going to guard it. We are going to get paid,” Mr Trump said.
World
University of Oxford develops new Ebola vaccine
The vaccine would be assessed for safety and immune response in 50 healthy adults in the UK aged between 18 and 55.
NationWide
Insecurity: Nigeria adopts victim-centred reintegration plan to strengthen communities
The national coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj
Education
Suspension of WAEC, NECO fee hike victory for Nigerians, says Obi
“Education is a fundamental right and a public good, not a source of government revenue,” he said.
Abuja
Police arraign three over alleged murder of Abuja businessman Adimike Godwin
The court adjourned the case until September 30 for further proceedings.
