The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello, has called for strengthened cooperation among State and Non-State Actors within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to eradicate human trafficking in the region.
Binta Adamu Bello made this appeal during the flag-off ceremony for the donation of food items in Abuja under an ECOWAS-supported project aimed at protecting victims of human trafficking.
Addressing stakeholders, she highlighted the urgent need to intensify collaborative efforts to combat the menace of trafficking, especially given the region’s vulnerabilities and the covert nature of the crime.
“The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has always recognized the critical need for collaboration to effectively combat human trafficking and provide the necessary support to the victims of this heinous crime,” Bello said. “Our partnership with the ECOWAS Commission has been instrumental in enhancing our capacity to protect victims and provide them with comprehensive care.”
She praised the tripartite collaboration among ECOWAS as the donor, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as the implementer, and NAPTIP as the beneficiary, emphasizing that such unified efforts yield tangible results.
“The donation of food items today is just one example of a commitment to ensuring that victims of human trafficking in ECOWAS Member States receive the protection and support they deserve,” she added, expressing gratitude to ECOWAS, IOM, and other partners for their steadfast dedication.
In his remarks, Mr. Ehi Hillary Iyinbo, representing the Nigerian Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, commended Bello for her exceptional leadership, which has significantly enhanced collaboration and the agency’s achievements.
“NAPTIP has been a model, not just within West Africa but across Africa and beyond. The DG’s remarkable leadership, particularly as chair of the ECOWAS focal group on Human Trafficking, has driven significant progress in this fight,” Mr. Iyinbo noted.
Similarly, Mr. Olatunde Olayemi, from the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, ECOWAS, lauded Bello’s proactive approach, which continues to strengthen Nigeria’s role in regional anti-trafficking initiatives.
Chief of Mission for IOM, Paola Pace, reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting member states in eliminating human trafficking. “We need more efforts in victim protection, prevention, and the prosecution of traffickers to dismantle their networks,” she emphasized.
The event witnessed the donation of a wide range of items, including food, clothing, and welcome packs for rescued victims, underscoring the collaborative commitment to support and rehabilitate survivors of trafficking.
The ceremony marked another milestone in NAPTIP’s efforts, bolstered by partnerships with ECOWAS, IOM, and other stakeholders, to build a region free from the scourge of human trafficking.
