Waterways: NSC, NAPTIP, MMS move to curb human trafficking

……. partners to enhance surveillance

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Money Management Series (MMS) have entered into a partnership with the aim of eliminating human trafficking through the country’s waterways.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from NATPTIP and MMS, the Executive Secretary of NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, reaffirmed that human trafficking was an economic crime which needed to be prevented.

He explained that human trafficking is a kind of crime that gives Nigeria a good image abroad. “I was in Lagos on Sunday and I received some guests at my house. One of the things that came on during the discussion was the issue of trafficking of our girls to some of the neighbouring African countries.

“I think some few years back, NAPTIP started recording trafficking of our young girls to countries like Burkina Faso, and it was a very challenging situation to note that this was happening because before then, it used to be outside Africa, but then it is now happening even within Africa.”

The ES explained that the Council fully supports the fight against human trafficking at sea with models like the stowaway and others to eliminate the crime.

He reaffirmed NSC’s commitment to the partnership, expressing willingness to assist where necessary.

On her part, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Lami Adamu Bello, said, “As a maritime regulatory body, the NSC oversees critical gateways to the nation’s trade and transportation systems — gateways that are unfortunately also exploited by traffickers to move victims clandestinely via vessels and other maritime routes.

“The shipping, ports, and logistics sectors can play a pivotal role in early detection, prevention, and reporting of trafficking activities, making collaboration between NAPTIP and NSC not only strategic but essential.”

He said NAPTIP is proposing to deepen engagement with the maritime sector in the fight against human trafficking, especially in sensitisation for identification of potential trafficking cases along the waterways and timely reporting to relevant authorities.

“This effort builds on the landmark Operation Junction Rain, a joint operation between NAPTIP and the Nigerian Navy in 2019 in Lagos, during which over 100 vessels were searched, with more than 30 linked to human trafficking-related offences, particularly organ harvesting.

“The outcome of this operation underscores the reality that maritime channels are a high-risk pathway exploited by traffickers and therefore require constant vigilance and inter-agency cooperation.

“Proposed Areas for Collaboration with NSC; a. Joint sensitisation campaigns along the waterways targeting port workers, shipping agents, freight forwarders, crew members, and other maritime stakeholders to identify and report suspected trafficking activities,” she stated.

Also speaking, Hajia Lami Tumaka, Board Member, MMS Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame (WoFHoF) initiative, said the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), had reported that the global shipping industry lost $8.9 million to 364 stowaway incidents between February 2020 and February 2021.

“We believe your involvement would contribute significantly to mitigating these risks and promoting a sustainable environment for the shipping industry. This aligns with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s role as the port economic regulator and our commitment to corporate social responsibility and its sustainability. (CSR),” she stated.

The meeting concluded with the setting up of a Committee with members drawn from both agencies. A time frame of two weeks was given for the Committee to draft an action plan that will ensure the desired results.

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