FIIAPP Trains Nigerian Agencies on Identification Human Trafficking and Smuggling

Benin City, Edo State

On 25th July 2023, the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP), under the A-TIPSOM Project funded by the European Union, commenced a 3-day in-house training program focused on the identification of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) cases. The training, held in Benin City, Edo State, was designed to allow  trainers previously trained on identifying TIPSOM perpetrators to impart their expertise to their respective agencies, creating a skilled cadre of trainers proficient in recognizing perpetrators of human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

The comprehensive training saw the participation of 30 officials from key Nigerian law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Police Force, and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Edo State. These participants were carefully selected to undergo specialized instruction, enhancing their ability to identify and combat the ever-growing threats of human trafficking and migrant smuggling within the country.

Representing the Team Leader of the A-TIPSOM Project, Mr. Federico Millan, the Project’s technical advisor on investigation, Mr. Sani Bello Dantuni, delivered the opening remarks. Mr. Dantuni reaffirmed FIIAPP’s commitment to strengthening the capacities of NAPTIP, the Police, and the Immigration Service in their efforts to tackle the escalating rates of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in Nigeria. The training program is an integral part of FIIAPP’s broader initiative under the A-TIPSOM Project, which aims to bolster the capabilities of these agencies in identifying and apprehending traffickers and smugglers.

Mr. Federico emphasized, “With the rising menace of human trafficking and migrant smuggling, it is essential to equip Nigeria law enforcement agencies with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively identify and combat these crimes. Through this training, we are creating a pool of trained professionals who can detect TIP and SOM perpetrators and protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to these illicit activities.”

Throughout the three-day program, the trained trainer facilitated the workshop, through interactive sessions, workshops, and practical exercises. The training curriculum encompassed various aspects, including identifying modus operandi, understanding patterns and trends, victim profiling, and adopting effective investigation techniques to bring offenders to justice.