Niger State Government has given a piece of land and Certificate of Occupancy to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons NAPTIP to establish a Command in the State.
Governor Umaru Bago made the disclosure when the management of NAPTIP led by its Director General Binta Adamu Bello paid him a courtesy visit at the Niger State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
The Governor also donated N50m to the Agency as matching fund for the establishment of the State Command in Niger State and will provide temporary accommodation for staff of the Agency before the completion of the Office project .
He described gender based violence and child trafficking as a global menace that needs to be addressed and restated his administration’s determination to work closely with the Agency to ensure that child trafficking and gender based violence are tackled head on.
Governor Umaru Bago said, the State Government wants to take the lead in combating child trafficking stressing that Niger State Government is always ready to assist them in all aspects especially to address the menace in the Northern Region where out of school children and domestic violence is rampant.
He also advocated the need for the Sub nationals to collaborate with NAPTIP with a view to finding lasting solutions to the growing cases of child trafficking.
The Director General, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello described the visit to the Governor as a significant step in strengthening collaboration and commitment to combating human trafficking and gender based violence in Niger State and the Country as a whole.
She explained that NAPTIP which is a Federal Government Focal Agency saddled with the core mandate of fighting human trafficking and gender based violence in Nigeria play crucial roles in addressing heinous crimes that threatens the society and undermines dignity and rights of individuals especially women and children.
She applauded the Governor’s support saying the Agency’s presence in Niger is very crucial as it will enable them execute their mandate effectively adding that, they will work closely with the State and local Communities as well as other stakeholders to prevent trafficking and protect the victims while also prosecuting offenders.
