A-TIPSOM and NAPTIP Host Validation and Technical Finalization Workshop on Protocol for Identification, Safe Return and Rehabilitation

Human trafficking affects all categories of human beings particularly women and children. It leaves no country untouched and victims mostly women, girls and children are deceived, forced and sold into situations of exploitation. Human trafficking has physical, health, and psychological effects on victims.  Combating human trafficking and supporting trafficked persons require identification, safe return and rehabilitation of trafficked persons. NAPTIP had in the year 2018, taken a bold step in producing a Protocol which is aimed at providing a documented reintegration procedure that would ensure that victims are afforded the requisite support and services from the point of identification at destination country and during their complete rehabilitation process in Nigeria.

Today, Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants in Nigeria (A-TIPSOM), a project funded by European Union, and implemented by The International Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies, FIIAPP,  is supporting NAPTIP to validate and finalize the Protocol for Identification, Safe Return and Rehabilitation; to ensure the document is officially and legally acceptable, approved and production maintains the desired level of compliance with International standard.

The Protocol for Identification, Safe Return and Rehabilitation intends to stimulate an arrangement in the destination countries that will foster cooperation and linkages between law enforcement agencies and social service providers to provide care and support to victims of trafficking, training and enlightenment to relevant stakeholders and encourage mutual cooperation in investigation of human trafficking cases

Participants cut across different spectrum of service providers from the point of identification to reintegration process of victims of human trafficking, they include: Care-Givers, MDAs, LEAs, CSOs and representatives of selected foreign Missions in Nigeria International Organizations etc.

The workshop will enable the critical stakeholders standardize and endorse the document in line with international best practices and make it suit the requirements for approval by the highest ruling body in Nigeria, Federal Executive Council as National Document.

In a remark, Dame Julie Okah Donli, the Director General of NAPTIP commended European Union and FIIAPP for supporting the validation and finalization of the protocol. Also, the representatives of Nigerian Immigration Service anti-trafficking unit, Comptroller I.N. Eneregbu; Nigerian Police Force, CP Josephine Ogechi; and Network of CSOs Against Child Trafficking, Mr. Femi Adeshida; appreciated European Union and FIIAPP for supporting their organizations through A-TIPSOM Project.

The Team Leader of A-TIPSOM, Mr. Rafael Rios Molina reiterated the commitment of FIIAPP in working together with NAPTIP, NACTAL, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Police Force in tackling trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants, and improving support services for victims.

In a good will message, the representative of House Committee on Human Rights Rt. Hon. Barr. Chinyere Igwe, applauded European Union for their various support to Nigerian government.