NAPTIP, NITDA Join Forces to Fight Human Trafficking Through the Deployment of Digital Arsenals
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have commenced a process of partnership that will ensure the use of technology and digital innovation infrastructures to tackle issues of human trafficking, cyber-induced exploitation as well as sextortion in the Country.
This was one of the outcomes of the courtesy visit of the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, OON, to the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, GCIE as part of the strategic engagement with critical partners in the fight against human trafficking and violence against persons.
Speaking during the visit, the Director General of NAPTIP disclosed that the advent of technology and its associated components have greatly affected the recruitment, transportation, and even the mode of exploitation of victims of human trafficking.
According to her, as beneficial as globalization and digital technology have been, it has also impacted the scope, dimension, trends, and entire counter-trafficking process by providing a safety net for criminal gangs.
According to her, “This visit is to strengthen the existing relationship between NAPTIP and NITDA and to seek improved collaboration and synergy through a coordinated platform and the deployment of digital infrastructure ICT innovation tools to boost the fight against human trafficking.
“ We seek collaborative development of innovative technologies to track, monitor, and prevent trafficking activities, and online sexual exploitation as well as enhance child online safety”, Binta Adamu Bello stated.
In his response, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE described partnership as one of the crucial strategic pillars of the Agency adding that no one can survive in isolation.
He outlined the strategic pillars of the Agency to include, “Foster Digital Literacy and cultivate Talents, Build a Robust Technology Research Ecosystem, Strengthen Policy Implementation and Legal Framework, and Promote Inclusive Access to Digital Infrastructure and Services.
Others are “Strengthen Cyber security and Enhance Digital Trust, Nurture an Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Forge Strategic Partnership, and Collaboration and Cultivate a Vibrant Organizational Culture and an Agile Workforce in NITDA”.
While stressing the need for a mutually beneficial partnership between NITDA and NAPTIP, Inuwa Kashifu said digital technology has provided sufficient tools that could be used to strengthen the fight against human trafficking in the Country through the application of appropriate tools and personnel.
He promised to support the Agency with the donation of a Digital Learning Centre to enhance the capacity development of NAPTIP’s Officers in addition to other technical support and assistance.
The high point of the visit was the setting up of a joint committee that will oversee the process of the agreed collaboration and synergy between the two Agencies.
Vincent Adekoye
Press Officer
29th October, 2024
