Senate Seeks Stricter Tenancy Laws To Combat Human Trafficking

The Senate has called for stricter tenancy laws requiring landlords to verify tenants’ identities, including through the National Identification Number (NIN), as part of efforts to combat human trafficking, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

The upper chamber has also asked the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in collaboration with the police, Nigeria Immigration Service, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies, to investigate travel agencies allegedly linked to trafficking and exploitation of Nigerians abroad.

The proposed investigations are expected to examine recruitment networks, financial transactions and travel arrangements associated with the alleged offences.

The lawmakers also proposed legislation to regulate short-let apartments, warning that criminal elements could exploit unverified rental arrangements to evade detection.

The resolutions followed consideration of a report on the need to protect Nigerians from trafficking, slavery and human rights abuses in Libya, presented by the Senate Committees on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations; Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; Foreign Affairs and Special Duties.

In his argument, the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, noted that landlords who rent properties to unidentified individuals could inadvertently provide cover for criminal activities.

He called for a review of existing laws to ensure tenants could be properly identified and traced when necessary.

Former Sokoto State Governor, Sen. Aminu Tambuwal, added that he had initiated similar legislation while serving as Speaker of a State House of Assembly.

He advocated provisions covering tenant registration, rent control and security checks, adding that landlords should also establish proof of ownership of their properties.

Tambuwal urged the National Assembly to encourage state legislatures to adopt similar measures, while Senator Babangida Hussaini, representing Jigawa North-West, cited Lagos State’s existing legislation as a possible model.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, in his contribution, highlighted the organised nature of human trafficking, noting that international networks and foreign collaborators were often involved.

He underlined the need to address demand for trafficked persons by foreign countries, alongside efforts to dismantle trafficking networks.

The Senate equally called for a review and stronger enforcement of existing anti-trafficking laws, including the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 and the Child Rights Act, 2003.

To strengthen the response, the Senate further called for increased funding for NAPTIP and other relevant agencies to improve investigations, prosecutions and victim support.

It further urged the Federal Government to establish a National Reintegration and Protection Programme for returning victims and other vulnerable Nigerians, coordinated by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons in collaboration with NAPTIP.