The Wife of the Bauchi State Governor Hajiya Aishatu Bala Mohammed and the management of the new office of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have resolved to collaborate to reduce the incidences of human trafficking in the state.
Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed received the commander of NAPTIP, Mansour Ahmed, and his team in her office.
She assured the team of her support and cooperation to help them in the rescue of victims of human trafficking and arrest of traffickers.
Hajiya Aisha advised them to collaborate with the State Action Committee on Social Gender Violence (SGBV) as critical stakeholders whose roles are vital in the fight against women, child abuse and human trafficking.
She called for improved collaboration in the areas of investigation, sensitization, and capacity building for officers .
Hajiya Aisha said they have recorded success under the SGBV programme under which they make sure all offenders of sexual violence were punished according to the law.
She said she invited all stakeholders to meet with NAPTIP officials to share their experience in what they are doing to support Women and children.
“We will continue to work together to achieve our common goal. We have taken the mantle to succeed and we shall improve our relationship and collaborate more”, she said.
Wife of the Governor of Bauchi State reiterated her determination to continue and eliminate violence against women and children.
She said her office and the Al-Muhibbah Foundation are playing an important role in solving the problems of gender violence in Bauchi through successful programs and programs made to support the victims.
She explained the importance of educational programs aimed at educating men and women in order to eliminate the society’s attitudes that continue to cause violence against women.
Hajiya Aisha suggested that workshops, educational seminars, and community awareness programs can improve awareness.
The Commander of NAPTIP, Mansour Ahmed, presented figures and examples that show how GBV is prevalent in Bauchi, including the problems of trafficking, domestic violence, and rape, which often occur in places where there is no adequate protection or legal punishment.
He praised the First Lady for her support and programmes that helped reduce GBV in the state, with the promise of continued cooperation from NAPTIP.
Mansour asked for collaboration in the fight against human trafficking for mutual benefit.
He said taking action against trafficking in persons is very important, hence the Agency seeks the continuous support of the governors wife and her NGOs in this direction.
“Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants are both serious organized crimes. It requires a joint effort of all stakeholders to minimize these heinous crimes.
“NAPTIP and Stakehooders with similar mandates have a lot in common. It is essential for them to continue as partners working towards a common goal of minimizing human trafficking.”
He assured that NAPTIP will continue to work effectively with Stake holders to achieve the desired support.
Mansour said “We are partners and we are stakeholders in our mandates. We have a joint mandate to prevent Trafficking in Persons. We are focused and committed to solving the problem of irregular migration and human trafficking in the country.”
The visit was attended by: Members of the cooperative organizations, including women’s rights groups, health care providers, Support groups that work directly on the problems of gender-based violence.
