By: Nyima Sillah
The Inspector General of the Gambia Police Force, Seedy Muctar Touray, has said the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) menace needs a concerted response with all hands on deck to deal a death blow to it.
Commissioner Abdoulie Sanneh, who read the statement on behalf of the IGP on Wednesday during the National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (NAATIP) training of police prosecutors, stated that a civilized society comprising law enforcement, NAATIP, the media, and the public should all put hands on deck to prevent trafficking, protect victims and punish traffickers.
“The public support is critical in the fight because they see and hear things that law enforcement officer is not usually privy to because offenders operate in secret and under the cover of darkness,” Com. Sanneh told the participants in a training held at NANA.
Emphasizing the importance of the training, Commissioner Sanneh stated that as police prosecutors, such training is an opportunity for them to enhance their knowledge on trafficking in persons.
He explained that the TIP Act has spelt out the threshold of evidence required to meet to secure a conviction in any prosecution of the offense, saying it behooves prosecutors to guide their colleague’s investigators at their respective duty stations when they come across case files involving TIP.
“You are not only there to prosecute cases but to guide your colleagues who might not have the legal training you benefited from,” he stated.
Isatou Dabo, NAATIP Executive Director, pointed out that the role of the agency and the Ministry of Justice is important, but not as important as the role of prosecutors, adding cases don’t only stop at the Ministry of Justice and being prosecuted by the state councils.
She explained that in the past, there have been cases in the magistrate court but they intend to ensure that a good number of cases are passed through the police prosecution.
NAATIP Head of Investigation, Joseph Y. Mendy, says the only way to win against criminals is through solidarity between law enforcement agencies by sharing information and the sharing of technology. “We must open our doors and hearts for more bilateral and multilateral operations. The time demands more collaboration between agencies and various stakeholders in combating trafficking in persons.”
Mr. Mendy expressed optimism that the training will set a landmark in recognizing the new realm of challenges and opportunities for prosecuting perpetrators and forging new partnerships in fighting trafficking in persons.
