Aniefiok Christopher
The House of Representatives has called on Federal Ministry of Works to allocate special intervention funds for the repatriation, rehabilitation, and empowerment of trafficked Nigerian girls in the 2027 budget estimates.
The call followed adoption of a motion co-sponsored by Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, during a plenary on Thursday, presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.
Also, the House urged the Federal Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, and Foreign Affairs, as well as NAPTIP, to develop a comprehensive Repatriation and Reintegration Framework for Nigerian victims of human trafficking in line with global best practices.
This was as the House considered a motion on the Need to Strengthen the Repatriation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Trafficked Nigerians from Mali and other West African countries.
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Contributing to the debate, Dr. Idem stressed the need for expansion of trauma-informed counseling and mental health services and provision of temporary shelters that go beyond short-term stays as well as medical screening and long-term care, where needed.
The Lawmaker further sought the introduction of individualized recovery plans instead of one-size-fits-all support and provide startup grants or microcredit tied to mentorship programmes.
To align with real market demand, Dr. Idem harped on the need to link survivors to vocational training.
Arguing on the motion, the Chairman of House Committee on Public Procurement, further sought partnership with private sector employers for job placement pipelines.
Knowing that victims are exposed to sexual exploitation, forced labour and other forms of abuse, he voiced for launching of community sensitization campaigns to reduce stigma and discrimination.
He acknowledged that the victims are trafficked through porous borders and subjected to inhumane conditions, and emphasised the need to strengthen border monitoring and intelligence to prevent re-trafficking.
To abate the crime, the Ukanafun-born politician called on authorities to speedily prosecute traffickers to deter the cycle and to involve local government councils and community leaders in the reintegration monitoring.
Earlier, the sponsor of the motion, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe representing Oluyole Federal Constituency of Oyo State, had raised concerns over the persistent trafficking of Nigerians to Mali and neighbouring countries, where victims are exposed to sexual exploitation, forced labour and other forms of abuse.
She warned that trafficking networks are increasingly targeting children.
“These criminal networks have now shifted their focus to children as young as 10 years old, many of whom are sold into brothels or exploited by organ harvesting syndicates,” she said.
