World Trafficking Day: NAPTIP Vows To Stamp Out Human Trafficking

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has promised to do everything within its powers to kick human trafficking out of Nigeria.
The Commander in Bayelsa, Mrs Abieyuwa Ikhidero, made the pledge in Yenagoa on Saturday after a road-walk to commemorate the 2022 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, annually marked on July 30 to raise awareness about the ills of trafficking in persons.
Speaking on the theme for this year’s celebration, “The Use and Abuse of Technology,” she called on the Bayelsa government to join hands with NAPTIP to fight human trafficking even at the local government level, saying that Bayelsa NAPTIP, has zero tolerance for human trafficking.
The Commander said it would no longer be business as usual for human traffickers in Bayelsa and Nigeria at large.
She urged young people and those molested in one form or the other to speak out and not to die in silence.
The commander warned those indulging in human trafficking to desist from it as they will surely go after them if they continued with it.
She urged parents to keep careful watch over their children and not to send them into hawking.
Ikhidero commended all partners against human trafficking at the road-walk, and urged them to continue with the good job of campaigning to drive the scourge out of the country.
In her speech, Mrs Faith Opuene, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Gender Development, said human beings were not for sale and were not slaves, as God created them.
Represented by Mr Felicia Owei, Director in the ministry, said they are ready to partner with NAPTIP to end human trafficking, in all forms they could.
She said technology has been used to traffic people without the victims knowing, promising them good jobs abroad. This she said has affected them negatively.
She urged everyone to stand against all manners of child labour and trafficking in human beings.
On his part, Mr Simon Ayakpo, Commander, Federal Fire Service, said human trafficking is a fight that involves everyone in the society.
He urged individuals to always speak out or pass information to NAPTIP, when they suspect trafficking of any kind or human labour.
A teacher from Bishop Dimieri Grammar School, Yenagoa, Mr, Krutimi Ebiowei, who commended NAPTIP for the sensitisation, said he would work to change the narrative of young people.
He encouraged students and young people to always speak out and never to hide anything from their parents and teachers at school and mind how they use the internet.