By: TUNDE BOLAJI, MINNA.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Niger State is ready to support the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to fight the scourge of trafficking in Persons and child labour in Niger State.
The Chairman of FIDA in the State, Mrs Bolanle Jibogun Esq stated this during a courtesy visit to the Commander of NAPTIP in the State, Mr. Emmanuel Awhen at the Command headquarters in Minna.
She disclosed that FIDA, as a non-governmental organization, is saddled with the responsibility of protecting, preserving and promoting the right of girl-child and women.
This, according to her will be achieved through a collective partnership and synergy with the NAPTIP the State.
She also requested for the support and cooperation of the State Command of NAPTIP, to see how the association will assist in prosecuting cases of child trafficking in the state.
According to FIDA Chairperson, their visit to the state command of the agency was to inform the state Commander of the existence of law prohibiting violence against Persons (VAP), the law has already been domesticated in Niger state since 2020.
Stating that the VAP law replaced the penal code law which she explained carried more severe punishment on offenders particularly any offence against girl-child, women “including male child”
She disclosed that the “VAP law has given the NAPTIP more powers than other security agencies, because NAPTIP activities was clearly explained in the law.
Mrs. Bolanle Jibogun assured the state Commander of the agency’s unalloyed partnership in achieving its onslaught against trafficking in Persons and violence against girl-child.
Receiving the leadership of FIDA, the state Commander of NAPTIP, Mr Emmanuel Awhen applauded the visitors for taken their time to visit the Command headquarters in Minna.
He said the agency in the state will continue to engage every stakeholder in the state to bring the increasing proportion of trafficking in persons particularly the engagement of under-age girls as domestic maid, to barest level in Niger State.
He disclosed further that the agency was established in August, 2025, and on his assumption in office as the pioneer Commander in the state, he was informed of the rate at which some Community within Mokwa, Kutigi and Enagi trafficking under-aged girls for domestic maid out to Lagos.
He disclosed these under-aged girls were been traffic by some agents “who collect money on behalf of these girls while the girl will be subjected to all manner of labour without them receiving Kobo.
The command will soon embark on aggressive sensitization programme to most of these communities to inform their Community leaders that such act is a crime.”
The commander then assured the Niger State branch of FIDA of the preparedness of the state command of NAPTIP of collective partnership to bring an end to trafficking in Persons to barest level in Niger State.