By Rakiya A. Muhammad
Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse, and Labour (NACTAL) has reiterated its call on the Sokoto State Police Command to ensure prompt handover of perpetrators of the trafficking case of five children to NAPTIP Sokoto Zonal Command for diligence prosecution.
NACTAL National President Abdulganiyu Abubakar renewed the call at a press conference Friday in Sokoto. He recalled that NACTAL had commended the Nigeria Police Force for the FCT Police command’s successful interception and arrest of two suspects, Kulu Dogonyaro and Elizabeth Ojah, on April 20, 2024, in connection with the trafficking of five children.
“The case, which has been referred to the Sokoto State Police Command by the FCT Police Command, still awaits handing over to the Sokoto Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further necessary action and diligent prosecution in line with the Palermo Protocol definition of Human Trafficking,” he stated.
He said the NACTAL Nigeria leadership had also lauded the efforts of the Edo State Police Command, NAPTIP Benin Zonal Command, and civil society organisations that helped to amplify the concerns on a disturbing incident involving the viral dissemination of inappropriate pictures depicting a 4-year-old girl on Instagram thereby leading to the swift action and handing over of the case on May 13 in the office of the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Police Command.
“We thereby request the Sokoto State Police Command to emulate the very good example of the Edo State Command by ensuring the prompt handover of the perpetrators of the last trafficking case of five children to the NAPTIP Sokoto Zonal Command for diligent prosecution,” urged NACTAL Nigeria National President.
He expressed NACTAL’s commitment to the eradication of all forms of abuse, trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable populations.
Abubakar disclosed that NACTAL Nigeria, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project grant, trained over 134 Law Enforcement Officers on countering trafficking in persons.
He added participants were drawn from various agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
