FIIAPP Holds Strategic Workshop for Nigeria Police Officers on TIP and SOM Legislation

The importance of strategic interaction amongst officers saddled with combating issues of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of migrants in the Nigeria Police force cannot be overemphasized.

To ensure that selected Nigeria Police Officers from different geo-political zones are well equipped with adequate knowledge about legislation, on 15th to 17th Dec, 2020, the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policy (FIIAPP) organized a three (3) day Training Workshop to build the capacity of forty-three (43) officers of anti-human trafficking units of the Nigeria police on new legislations on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants. The workshop is part of the Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Project (A-TIPSOM) which is funded European Union.

 With this workshop, the capacity of officers was built to better approach their task of fighting the menace with in-depth understanding of some of the new legislations domiciled in various agencies coordinating enforcement of the acts.

The team leader of A-TIPSOM, Mr Rafael Rios Molina in his remarks welcomed the participants and extended his gratitude to the Inspector-General of Nigeria Police Force and the commissioner of police, anti-human trafficking unit. He stated that under the A-TIPSOM Project, FIIAPP will continue to support the Nigeria Police Force to intensify the fight against human trafficking.

While giving a goodwill message, Mr Jorge Macias Martinez, a representative from the Spanish Embassy and Senior Assistance to Attaché, commended Nigeria Police Force for their efforts towards combating human trafficking.

Speaking at the workshop, the Commissioner of Police in the Ant-Human Trafficking Unit, Mrs. Nna Josephine appreciated European Union and FIIAPP for supporting her unit to improve the fight against human trafficking. She gave an assurance that the anti-human trafficking unit of Nigeria Police Force will continue to discharge their duties effectively in tackling the scourge.

While declaring the workshop opened, the Inspector General of Nigeria Police Force who was represented by Commissioner of Police, INTERPOL, CP Garba Baba, commended the organizers of the workshop for supporting the NPF most especially the frontline officers saddled with tackling TIP and SOM in the force with knowledge of new legislations aimed at combatting the menace. He further assured that with the various information and database at the disposal of Nigeria Police via Interpol, they will help to improve investigation of traffickers and as well as disrupting their activities.

At the end of the workshop, certificates were presented to the participants.