Combatting Trafficking In Persons

Yesterday, July 30, marked the annual World Day against Trafficking in Persons. This event,
organised by the United Nations, aims to raise awareness and promote the prevention of human trafficking and modern-day slavery. These unfortunate global matters affect numerous countries, making it pressing to address them on an international scale.
The 2023 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons campaign addresses the findings of the recent United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Global Report. It urges governments, law enforcement agencies, public services, and civil society to enhance their work in prevention, victim identification and support, and ending impunity. The theme for this year is to ‘Reach Every Victim of Trafficking, Leave No One Behind’.
Every year, thousands of people, including men, women, and children, fall victim to traffickers. They are often deceived and manipulated into believing that they will be provided with employment opportunities that will improve the lives of their families. In other cases, people are forcibly abducted or coerced into trafficking situations.
Shockingly, some families in dire circumstances are compelled to vend their children to make it through. It is peremptory to recognise that trafficking in persons is not only a serious crime but also a severe infringement of human rights. This global subject affects almost every country in the world, whether as a source, transit, or destination for victims.
Sex trafficking and forced labour are well-known forms of trafficking, but there are other types as well. Victims are also exploited for benefit fraud, as beggars, through forced or sham marriages, in pornography production, and for organ removal. Unfortunately, these forms of trafficking are often under-reported and receive less public attention.
In 2020, national responses to trafficking in developing countries showed a decline. Detection rates fell by 11 per cent and convictions plummeted by 27 per cent. This global trend reflects a slowdown in criminal justice efforts to combat trafficking. Besides, the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the nature of trafficking, driving it deeper underground and potentially exposing victims to expanded risks as the crime becomes less likely to be noticed by authorities.
Prompt and resolute action is crucial for nations to combat human trafficking. Addressing its underlying causes, such as socio-economic and cultural factors, requires proactive measures. It is imperative to raise awareness about the seriousness of this crime to mobilise key stakeholders and facilitate policy changes and resource allocation. Through enhanced prevention, victim identification, survivor support, and accountability, countries can strive to eliminate human trafficking.
The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has revealed that human trafficking in Nigeria and West Africa has become the largest criminal enterprise, despite sustained efforts to curb it. This revelation exposes the grotesque haunting humanity. The Nigerian governments at all levels and the citizenry must unite in checking the dark business of buying and selling people for even darker purposes.
Human traffickers are constantly adapting and developing new strategies to further their anti-human activities. It is key that we remain steadfast in our efforts to fight them and restore dignity to humanity. According to a 2014 report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the profits generated by human trafficking amount to approximately $150 billion annually.
In a February 2021 UNODC Fifth Global Report on Trafficking in Persons in collaboration with NAPTIP, children accounted for over 75 per cent of trafficking victims identified in West Africa. This comprehensive report encompassed 148 countries and captured data from over 95 per cent of the global population, utilising official statistics from trafficking cases reported between 2016 and 2019.
The report highlighted that West Africa had a higher number of victims, particularly children exploited through forced labour. Out of the 4,799 victims detected in 26 sub-Saharan countries, 3,336 were found in West Africa, including 2,553 children. Also, about 80 per cent of the victims in West Africa were trafficked for forced labour, which is the prevailing form of exploitation in the region.
Faith-based organisations should partner with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to educate youths about the dangers of human trafficking. Their involvement in the government’s efforts to combat this issue is necessary. The Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission’s efforts to address challenges faced by citizens abroad are commendable, but more stakeholders should be mobilised to improve the situation of Nigerians in distress overseas.
Governments should prioritise inspiring hope and ensuring quality governance to uplift talented, yet deprived Nigerians. The federal and state authorities need to assist Nigerians rescued from forced or sexual labour abroad, helping them seamlessly integrate into society. These people require unwavering support to cope with the psychological effects of trafficking, including feelings of ignominy and depression.
Nigeria should maintain a cross-national alliance and share intelligence with other countries to counter human trafficking. This step has proven effective in the past and should continue. Existing laws against traffickers should be strengthened to impose heavy punishments upon prosecution and conviction, to deter future trafficking.