The federal government has granted approval for the deployment of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) officers to various ports in Nigeria, as announced by Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Edu made this announcement during her visit to the Federal Ministry of Interior’s headquarters in Abuja, according to a statement by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Rasheed Zubair, on Wednesday.
The minister emphasized that internal security concerns, human trafficking, and migration are contributing factors to insecurity, humanitarian crises, and poverty across the country.
Edu highlighted the importance of collaboration between her ministry and the Ministry of Interior, led by Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to gather crucial intelligence necessary for effective humanitarian responses in Nigeria.
Edu stated, “My purpose in coming here is to have a quick discussion with you because your ministry plays a vital role in facilitating my work.
The President is committed to reducing the number of individuals exposed to humanitarian crises. Our success greatly relies on the effectiveness of the Ministry of Interior.
We require your support at all levels.
The heads of security agencies present in this meeting will collaborate with our team to gather intelligence on movements in and out of our country.”
She further stressed the importance of addressing issues like human trafficking, child labor, and sexual exploitation that contribute to humanitarian crises.
Edu mentioned that NAPTIP officers had received approval to be stationed at various ports and urged cooperation in border security. She expressed concern about the existence of numerous illegal borders in Nigeria.
Edu also mentioned plans to expand the social register to include widows of paramilitary officers who lost their lives in active service and to offer skill acquisition programs to inmates of the Nigeria Correctional Services through her ministry.
Minister Tunji-Ojo responded by stating that an inter-ministerial committee, headed by the two permanent secretaries from both ministries, would develop strategies to strengthen the focus of their collaborative efforts.
