The Senate has called for investigations into travel agencies suspected of involvement in human trafficking and for tougher regulation of tenants and short-let apartments.
The resolutions followed a joint report by the committees on Diaspora and NGOs, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Foreign Affairs, and Special Duties. The report dealt with the trafficking and abuse of Nigerians overseas, particularly in Libya.
Presenting it, Senator Anthony Yaro, Vice Chairman of the Diaspora Committee, said the panels had consulted stakeholders and reviewed an earlier motion on trafficking in Libya.
The Senate urged NAPTIP, the police, Immigration, the EFCC and other agencies to investigate suspected trafficking rings and travel agencies. It said the probes should examine recruitment channels, financial transactions and travel arrangements to build evidence for prosecution.
Lawmakers also called for stricter enforcement of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and the Child Rights Act, 2003. They urged the Federal Government to increase funding for NAPTIP and related agencies.
The Senate further recommended a national protection and reintegration programme for rescued Nigerians, to be coordinated by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs with NAPTIP.
It also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deepen engagement with Libya on intelligence sharing, border management, dismantling trafficking networks and repatriating victims.
The debate then turned to domestic security after Senate President Godswill Akpabio recounted the case of three children allegedly abducted in Akwa Ibom State.
They were reportedly moved through Aba, Katsina and Lagos before being nearly trafficked to Ghana, and were missing for 93 days.
Akpabio commended the Inspector-General of Police and the Akwa Ibom Police Command for the rescue and pledged a university scholarship for the eldest child.
The case prompted senators to call for a “Know Your Tenant” system and closer monitoring of short-let apartments, arguing that this could help security agencies trace suspected criminals.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, recalled an unsuccessful attempt at tenancy registration legislation while he presided over the House. He said Sokoto State later set up a Rent Control and Management Commission, and urged other states to consider similar measures.
However, Senators Neda Imasuen, Babangida Hussaini, Adams Oshiomhole and Mohammed Aliero cautioned that legislation alone would not solve the problem without effective enforcement.
They also called for public enlightenment and more employment opportunities to reduce the economic pressures that leave Nigerians vulnerable to traffickers and irregular migration.