News
Failed Economy: Nigerians Auctioned For N144,000 In Libya
The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has revealed that promising young men and women of Nigeria are being auctioned as slaves for as low as $400 (N144,000) per person in Libya.
Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli made this known yesterday in Calabar, the Cross River State capital at the workshop to develop a Protocol for identification, safe return and rehabilitation of trafficked persons.
She said trafficking in persons has evolved into shocking new dimensions evident in the news coming from Libya where young Nigerians among other Africans were sold as slaves.
Okah-Donli said this ugly trend prompted by Federal Government to immediately order the evacuation of its citizens desirous of coming home.
She lamented that the evil of irregular migration and the disturbing trend in human trafficking could not be overemphasized, calling for concerted efforts to avert the inhuman and criminal act.
She further disclosed that large numbers of Nigerian women are currently trapped in Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, Niger, Burkina Faso, Morrocco, Libya and many countries in Europe being subjected to s3xual and labour exploitations.
She said the presence of large numbers of such Nigerians in desperate conditions in these countries has become a problem to Nigerian missions abroad.
The NAPTIP boss, said the Protocol being developed was to ensure the safe return of the trafficked victims, saying returning to their country of origin is often a difficult process because they face psychological, health, legal, documentation and financial problems.
She said many victims also have problems in reintegrating with their families and communities.
She explained that the overall goal of the Protocol was to prevent re-trafficking and to grow a community of survivors of trafficking who could play a vital role in the economic and social development of their communities, states and the country at large.
The Governor of River State, Professor Ben Shade, who was represented by the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the State, Joseph Abang, expressed commitment of his administration towards ensuring that human trafficking is reduced to the barest minimum if not completely.
He vowed that anyone caught in the State to have been involved in human trafficking would be prosecuted, stressing that the growing trend of irregular migration was worrisome.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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