Piqued by increasing cases of child trafficking and sale of babies in some parts of the country, the National Agency for the Prohibition in Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) has called on the National Assembly to strengthen relevant laws with a view to incorporating stiffer penalties.
The Executive Secretary of NAPTIP, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba who disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja, lamented that the existing anti-trafficking laws are too weak and being grossly abused.
According to her, child traffickers are abusing adoption process, using unsuspecting victims for forced labour and prostitution.
Jedy-Agba said the outcome of the investigation conducted by the Agency revealed increasing cases of sale of babies in some parts of the country, as well as gross abuse of adoption process.
She said the agency in 2013, proposed an amendment to the NAPTIP enabling Act to the National Assembly with a view to strengthening existing laws.
The NAPTIP boss said the amendment if passed, would bring the nation’s anti-trafficking legislation in conformity with the trafficking in persons protocol, including clearer definition of the offences, removing the option of fine and increasing penalty for traffickers.
To contain this, she enjoined State Governments through the Ministries of Women Affairs and relevant agencies to domesticate existing laws with a view to implementing the Child’s Rights Act.
Going forward, she said “this year, NAPTIP hopes to increase engagement with representatives of destination countries, partners and sister law enforcement organizations within and outside the country to forge close ties that will yield better cooperation and sustainable response to this fight”.
The Executive Secretary disclosed that the agency has so far recorded a total of 220 convictions of which 46 convictions were secured in 2013.
She added that 442 cases were reported to NAPTIP with 272 cases successfully investigated while 101 other cases are still pending in various courts in the country.
