By Ekene Chukwu
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Anambra State has raised the alarm over the upsurge in child trafficking cases in the state.
The agency warned that life of an average child is being threatened by human traffickers, whose nefarious activities are taking a new dimension in the state.
State Commander, Mrs Judith lbadin who stated this at the state Secretariat, Awka, regretted growing increase in illegal migration in the state, revealing that traffickers recruit young girls from the locality for prostitution in foreign countries.
She listed harvesting of organs and selling of babies, constant defilement of under aged girls by relations as some of the evil practices that have become the order of the day.
“The aim for inaugurating the state Taskforce on Human Trafficking in 2020 was to replicate and domesticate at state level the success attained at the national level, the fight against Human Trafficking, which has become a global concern,” she said.
NAPTIP boss who is also the Co- chairman of the state Taskforce called for stakeholders’ commitment, stressing that the training of members would equip them to face the challenges in the discharge of their duties.
She added that the work plan of the team for 2022- 2023 is waiting for approval from the state government.
Earlier, State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Sylvia lfemeje said the adoption of new measures in the fight against Human Trafficking will go a long way in stamping out the menace in the state.
She described fight against Human Trafficking as a flagship project of the present administration in the state.
lfemeje, who is also chairman of the state Taskforce on Human Trafficking underscored the need for intensive enlightenment program through Radio jingles to ensure those at the grassroots did not fall prey to the antics of traffickers.
Members of the state Taskforce on Human Trafficking were inaugurated in 2020 by the former governor of the state Chief Willie Obiano and since inception, had carried out enlightenment programmes in Churches, markets and other public gatherings, educating people on the vices.
