By Chinyere Amalu, Abuja
In determination to reduce human trafficking from Nigeria to Europe, the European Union (EU), International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Department for Equal Opportunities (DEO) and Counter Trafficking Commission (Italy) will launch a N220 million project in Nigeria.

The project, which was meant to enhance the cooperation to fight trans-Saharan Human Trafficking, will be implemented from Nigeria and Italy during the next 24 months.

A statement from the Commission said the  EU and the ILO view with serious concern the increasing volume and complexity of human trafficking, especially in women and children, worldwide.

“We recognize that it is imperative to address this menace at national, regional and global levels by promoting bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation. Trafficking in persons from Nigeria to Europe has posed serious challenges to people and governments of Nigeria and Europe”, it said, adding that the project which is  funded by the European Union is worth €1.2 million (about N220 million).

“The objective is to progressively reduce human trafficking through better cooperation between Nigeria and Italy in the prosecution of traffickers, protection and re_integration of victims, as well as prevention of trafficking through awareness creation”, it added.

The institutional and implementing partners of the project are: the Federal Ministries of Labour and Productivity, Foreign Affairs, Women Affairs, Education, Justice, and Youth and Social Welfare, as well as the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Nigerian Police, Immigration, Customs, employers’ and workers’ organisations, relevant NGOs and ECOWAS.