CRIME: NAPTIP DETAINS 115 FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN AKWA IBOM, OTHERS

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Agency Report
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has arrested at least 115 suspected human traffickers and rescued 75 victims in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers states.

Emmanuel Awhen, the Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, revealed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Uyo on Tuesday. This zone includes the states of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers.

“Between July 2023 and now, we’ve apprehended 115 human traffickers within the zone and rescued about 75 victims.

“Out of the 75 victims rescued, we have empowered 25 of them with skills in tailoring, hairdressing, barbing, and shoe making.

“Most of the victims rescued are kept in our shelter and we’ve counselled, empowered, and reunited them with their families,” the NAPTIP commander said.

He added that during the period, NAPTIP charged 15 cases to court and secured three convictions, while 12 cases are still pending.

The zonal commander urged judges to prioritize human trafficking cases to deter other traffickers.

Awhen noted that coastal communities in the zone are particularly affected by human trafficking and that many victims have been rescued from these areas.

“We appeal to members of the public that this fight against human trafficking should not be left in the hands of NAPTIP and the Federal Government alone.

“The agency needs the support and cooperation of all stakeholders so that together we can fight this crime.

“We have financial constraints to carry out robust sensitisation and campaigns against human trafficking, especially to rural communities, and feeding of victims is very expensive now,” he said.

Awhen advised parents and guardians not to let their family members deceive them and take their children and wards on the pretext of helping to train or secure employment for them.

He said that most often such children or wards end up being used for child labour or prostitution.

The zonal commander warned traffickers to desist from such acts, stressing that “anyone found culpable, the full weight of the law would be applied on such”.

NAN reports that the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is marked on July 30.

The theme for this year is; “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking.”

Awhen said that this year’s global campaign urges accelerated action to end child trafficking.

According to him, children represent a significant proportion of victims trafficked worldwide, with girls being disproportionately affected.