Nigerian Girls To Be Evacuated From 4 Countries

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters on Monday in Abuja said it had commenced plans to evacuate Nigerian girls who had been trafficked to four major African counties.
The agency also stated that it discontinued the investigation into ex-governor Ahmed Yerima of Zamfara State marriage to a 13-year-old Egyptian because he did not commit any offence which contravened NAPTIP’s enabling legislation.
The 51-year-old Senator,
who introduced the controversial Sharia legal system in Zamfara State, allegedly married the daughter of his Egyptian driver two years ago after paying a $100,000 dowry.
The Executive Secretary of NAPTIP, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, said during a courtesy call on her by a delegation of the National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons from The Gambia led by its chairman, Board of Directors, Mr. Fafa Mbai, and the acting Chief Executive Officer, Tulai Jawara Ceesay.
She said, “We have done a lot in Mali; we are working to go back to Mali because we understand that there is a huge problem of trafficking in Mali. But for the security challenge, which is presently on in Mali, we have decided to wait. We are looking at Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and even Ghana.
“Obviously, we are talking about prevention here; NAPTIP is in the process of reorganising its entire communication strategy. We realise that there is a lot to be done in the area of public enlightenment.”
On the Yerima issue, Jedy-Agba said, “That matter was brought to my attention late last year when I assumed office. But what happened in the case of Senator Yerima was that he married an Egyptian girl who was considered under-aged.
“Now, when I went through the files, it was clear that the offence, if any had been committed, had nothing to do with human trafficking which is really about exploitation.
“Even before I assumed office, NAPTIP had discontinued its investigation of the matter after it had found out that Yerima has not committed any offence which is contrary to our enabling legislation.”
PUNCH NG