US Dept donates $6,8m to UNODC to fight human trafficking in Nigeria

Etim Ekpimah

The US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) has contributed about $6.8 million to the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for projects in Nigeria to combat trafficking in persons.

A statement on Wednesday by the US Department said the INL donation will fund UNODC to train the Nigeria Correctional Service in the northeastern states of Borno, Gombe, and Adamawa.

“The funds will also support UNODC’s Middle Belt Investigations project by ensuring local police investigators in the states of Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa have the training and resources to respond more effectively to incidents of criminality, kidnapping, and conflict.

“The project also aims to improve the capacity of local courts and prosecutors by increasing transparency and adherence to due process for cases related to the activities of Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa.

“The United States values its relationship with Nigeria and, through our partnership with the UNODC, provides support to its work combatting drugs, crime, and corruption, and building the capacity of the Nigerian National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

“INL funds were made possible through appropriations made by Congress to the U.S. Department of State to support efforts in the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking worldwide,” the US Department said.