The House of Representatives has ordered a four-week investigation into the alarming rise of human trafficking in Nigeria, raising concerns over organised networks exploiting women, children and other vulnerable citizens.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Dominic Okafor, who highlighted the growing activities of trafficking syndicates and the devastating consequences for victims.
The lawmakers noted that victims are frequently deceived with promises of lucrative jobs, education, marriage and better opportunities abroad, only to end up in forced labour, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, forced begging and even organ harvesting.
They identified poverty, unemployment, insecurity, displacement and irregular migration as some of the factors exposing Nigerians to trafficking networks.
The House expressed concern that despite the existence of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, offenders continue to exploit enforcement gaps, porous borders and weaknesses in coordination among relevant agencies.
It called for stronger intelligence-led investigations, improved surveillance, effective prosecution and better funding for agencies involved in combating human trafficking.
The lawmakers also demanded stronger victim identification, rescue, rehabilitation, psychosocial support and reintegration programmes, particularly for women and children.
As part of the resolution, the House urged NAPTIP, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Immigration Service to intensify coordinated operations against trafficking networks.
It further called for nationwide awareness campaigns to expose deceptive recruitment practices and educate Nigerians on the dangers of irregular migration.
The Committees on Human Rights, Interior and Police Affairs were mandated to investigate the scale and pattern of trafficking in the country, examine the activities of trafficking syndicates and assess the effectiveness of existing enforcement measures.
The committees are to submit their findings within four weeks for further legislative action.
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