The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has called on West African countries to work together towards ending human trafficking in the region. The Chief of Mission of IOM in Nigeria, Laurent De Boeck, stated this at a three-day workshop aimed at combating trafficking in persons in Abuja. The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Solidarity and the Fight against Poverty as the Executive Secretariat of the National Committee for the Fight against Trafficking in Persons (CNLTP).

The workshop focused on bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire to prevent, suppress, and punish trafficking in persons. De Boeck said this was an opportunity for both countries to share their experiences and learn from each other.

The IOM chief also said it was essential for the region to come together and collaborate to successfully tackle human trafficking. He further pledged the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in the fight against human trafficking and irregular migration.

The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, emphasised the need for shared values between both countries in protecting human rights and upholding peace and prosperity as guiding principles for mutual cooperation. She also highlighted the evolving nature of human trafficking as a microcosm of much larger problems.

The Regional Project Manager of Expertise France, Mr Modeste Krah, reiterated the need for stakeholders to collaborate in ending human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants, pointing out the challenges of identifying victims and prosecuting traffickers.

The workshop was supported by the IOM and had participants drawn from NAPTIP, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria Immigration Service, and IOM Cote d’Ivoire.