Uche Henry
The Federal Government has ordered the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), to carry out a rigorous screening of all members of the Nigeria’s contingent to the World cup in Russia in order to forestall any incidence of human trafficking.
In a Press release by the Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, Mr Adekoye Vincent said all members of the Nigeria Supporters Club, large delegation and other organized bodies are to submit the list of members traveling to Russia to
NAPTIP for screening after which a clearance Certificate will be issued to enable them travel out of the country for the soccer fiesta.
According to Vincent, this was the outcome of the meeting between the Officials of the Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports led by the Minister, Mr. Solomon Dalung, management of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) led by the Director – General, Dame Julie Okah – Donli and officials of the embassy of Russia in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that the Director – General of NAPTIP, had two weeks ago, while briefing newsmen, alerted the publics on plans by some unscrupulous persons working in collaboration with some suspected human traffickers, to use the occasion of the World cup to traffic Nigerians for sexual and labour exploitation.
The NAPTIP boss stated that intelligence gathering revealed that some of the suspected human traffickers have commenced the process of recruiting vulnerable Nigerians and conscripting them into unauthorized Supporters Clubs and unrecognized delegation for the purpose of ensuring easy passage after which such victims are assisted to defect at Moscow.
Speaking during the joint meeting, the Sports Minister disclosed that the meeting was called to review preparations of Nigeria’s participation at the forthcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup finals holding in Russia.
The minister stated further that in order to ensure that some suspected human traffickers do not feast on Nigeria youths by trafficking them under the guise of football fans, NAPTIP shall carry out a painstaking screening of all contingents to the game, issue them a clearance certificate that will enable the Officers of the Nigerian immigration Service (NIS) to allow them to board at the various exit point in the country.