There is no doubt that tackling the menace of human trafficking is an immense and complex challenge. While families and religious and educational institutions have their roles to play in tackling this challenge, they do not have the power to enact and enforce laws against human trafficking.
Introduction
The power to legislate falls within the ambit of the government at all levels, and they have all that it takes to nip it in the bud.
While we cannot deny that the government is making efforts to combat this social evil, there is a need to adopt a far-reaching and comprehensive approach to solve the problem.
This week’s lesson will enlighten us on the measures the government has put in place to tackle the challenge of human trafficking.
Roles of the government
The Establishment of NAPTIP
The Nigerian government is not unaware of the menace of humanity. This is why the federal government of Nigeria established NAPTIP on July 14, 2003.
Before the establishment of NAPTIP, a Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation was established by the wife of the then vice-president, Mrs Titi Abubakar.
The organisation focused on eradicating trafficking in persons, child labour, abuse of the rights of women and children, and HIV/AIDS.
NAPTIP is under the control of the Federal Ministry of Justice, and it is saddled with the following responsibilities:
- To create public awareness against trafficking in persons.
- To encourage people to fight trafficking and other forms of slavery.
- To enforce the Human Trafficking Law Enforcement and Administrative Act.
- To adopt effective measures to prevent human trafficking.
- To investigate and prosecute cases connected with human trafficking.
How effective do you think NAPTIP has been in combating human trafficking, and which other areas should they put more effort into?
Other Organisations Involved
To carry out these responsibilities, there are organisations (nationally and internationally) that work hand in hand with NAPTIP.
MoU Organisations such:; the Nigeria Immigration Services, the European Union, the Nigeria Police Force, the International Organisation for Migration, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Focus 1
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) does a lot of intelligence. Section, with the help of their Divisional Immigration Officers, monitors and through which trafficked individuals into Nigeria are passport.
It would-be trafficked young ones and ladies are detected applying for international passports without the parents’ consent,
Furthermore, in the course of carrying out their responsibilities for hotel and restaurant inspections, internally trafficked children are detected. Through in-depth investigations, the syndicates are apprehended.
Focus 2
It should be noted, however, that all arrested individuals in the course of investigating a case of trafficking persons (victims, traffickers with their agents and the end-users) are usually handed over to NAPTIP for further actions, based on the Acts that established it.
While the victims are usually rehabilitated and reintegrated into society, handing them over to their family members, traffickers and end users are charged in court, where their fate is determined.
It does not stop with these government agencies to end human trafficking; every Nigerian is expected to play his/her part.
Focus 3
A tip from an individual, in the form of information about the activities of traffickers. A suspicious move or a noticed maltreatment in a neighbourhood reported to law enforcement agencies will go a long way in assisting the idea of ‘every man to himself.
God for us all will not help solve this awareness programme of the havoc that trafficking in persons is causing. Open more NAPTIP offices at all state capitals (not only zonally as it is now)and local government headquarters.
Focus 4
While the government needs to play a major role in combating human trafficking, the reality is that every well-meaning Nigerian should be involved in one way or the other in tackling this menace.
Women, teenagers, media professionals, health caregivers, educators, young people, and various law enforcement agencies. Legal practitioners and volunteers from our various communities should be trained on how to prevent human trafficking.
Roles of the churches
Missionaries like John Wesley, Thomas Coke, and many others will forever be remembered for their fight against the slave trade. Martin Luther King, Jr also fought racial discrimination.
It is expected that the Church should be concerned about the happenings in society. Interestingly, she cannot deny that her members have been victims at one time or the other of this evil.
Besides, one of the reasons the Church exists is to radiate the light of Jesus Christ in our dark world. Thus, the Church cannot stand aloof in the face of this moral decadence.
If the Church stood against the slave trade, it could not do differently in its modernised approach to it.
The history of the eradication of the slave trade is not complete without mentioning the roles of the Church.
Far back in history, the Church has always stood against unpopular policies and dehumanising activities.
It was Christian missionaries who stood against the killing of twins in Calabar, which eventually led to its end.
Advocacy against Trafficking in Persons
The subject of human trafficking is a must to rise to the challenge of responding to the reality that almost all traffickers.
The Church is looked upon to join not only in advocacy against trafficking in persons but also to prevent it, support the survivors of this criminality, and raise awareness in whatever way possible, wherever they are domiciled.
We must look at how we can partner with some agencies, both nationally and internationally, to stop the trafficking.
The Church must come up with practical initiatives that can be adopted to combat this problem.
Keeping off and leaving everything to the government does not help. The Church must, as a matter of urgency, rise in defence of our young ones and the vulnerable to put a stop to human trafficking under any guise.
Where do you think the Church should begin in her advocacy against human trafficking, and why?
Some Practical Steps in Tackling Human Trafficking
- The Church should organise enlightenment programmes for teenagers, youths(who are most vulnerable), and their parents on thriskssk attached to the ‘get rich at any cost’ syndrome.
- Organise a symposium to expose the tricks and deceits used by traffickers in recruiting their victims, as well as the havoc joining the group will cause.
- The Church should encourage unity in the home. Family unity must be emphasised. There should be a strong bond between parents and their children. Couples should be careful about involving a third party in their family issues. Children’s peers and associates must be known to parents.
Focus
Job seekers must be encouraged to persevere and not put their hands on unlawful activities.
- The Church should attend to the needs of its members. Financial and socioeconomic needs must be addressed from time to time. Poverty can push members to misbehave.
- The hope of a brighter future should be rekindled among members.
- The church must frown on the class syndrome. Discrimination of all sorts must be prevented. The rich and the poor must be seen and addressed as one.
- Newlywed couples must be encouraged to give birth to the number of children they can properly raise. Family planning methods should be encouraged.
- Members should be encouraged to report any trace or perceived act of trafficking to government agencies for investigation.
Conclusion
The Church cannot be quiet in the face of the evil of human trafficking. We must, however, realise that while it is important to take action against trafficking in persons.
The Church must be careful to protect the safety of the victims of trafficking. Her role should be primarily preventive through various enlightenment programmes.
Focus 1
The manner of response will depend on the nature of the trafficking being experienced. Whatever the Church needs to do as a way of response to this problem must be done with seriousness and commitment.
Lord, help the Church to stand up for the truth against human trafficking.
Your church should periodically organise a special prayer against all the chains of human trafficking in its domain and in Nigeria as a whole. For the past five weeks, our focus has been on human trafficking in Nigeria.
We have seen from the understanding of this topic and its nature, as well as the various groups of people involved, that it is not only a crime against a country, but it is also an evil against humanity.
Focus 2
We recommend that the Church pay closer attention to the causes and effects of this menace. The way it can be prevented has been enumerated in the discussion.
The proper understanding of this aspect of human trafficking will embolden the Church to combat this evil in whatever way possible.
Conclusion
Everybody must be involved, and we must be willing to work together against this problem through partnership and sharing information to bring this menace to an end.
Our collective stand against human trafficking will bring us closer towards living in a safe country and,d inde, in a world free of trafficking persons.
If the slave trader were stamped out of the human experience, this modern approach to it would also become history. Read more similar posts on our news page of the site.
Editors
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