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.

Credit: channelstv.com

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