Her Excellency Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu on Monday 22nd February received in audience a NAPTIP Zonal (Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara) team led by their Commander, Mitika Mafa Ali at the Government House Birnin Kebbi. The visit was to show appreciation to Her Excellency in her fight to reduce the rate of child trafficking and abuse in the state while seeking collaboration with her office.

The state commander, Mallam Mitika Mafa Ali conveyed greetings from the newly appointed DG of the agency Hajiya Iman Sulaiman and went on to state their various achievements against human trafficking in Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi state. Directly and indirectly, Commander Mafa Ali took the governors wife through issues they mitigate which range from drug abuse, gender based violence, to sexually transmitted disease and girl child education and even insecurity. He specifically sought Her Excellency’s support towards having a NAPTIP station in Kebbi State and also having a safe house where the rescued victims can be kept and taken care of.

Similarly, Mallam Adamu Shehu and Hajiya Hassanah Mikailu commended the efforts of Dr Zainab Bagudu in alleviating burdens women and children and solicited her assistance to empower some victims and also setting up the mini clinic.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Development, Hon. Zahrau Wali told the team that efforts are already in place to have a safe house here in Kebbi. She added that The Governor is supportive of any program that improves welfare of women and children.

In her response, the First lady welcomed and commended the team for their efforts in fighting against human trafficking in the state and for enlightening her on all the parallel issues they work on. She appreciated the importance of having a NAPTIP office here in Kebbi particularly as a border state with two countries and promised to render her support.

Her Excellency stated that there is a Sexual Assault Referral Center already being set up in Kebbi Medical Center Kalgo and her team will work on a safe center with time. She identified the approval of the SARC center by His Excellency the Governor of Kebbi State, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu as a very timely one. Her Excellency also gave the assurance of her full support to the team within the ambit of the law.

MEDIA TEAM
GOVERNMENT HOUSE BIRNIN KEBBI
23:02:2021