February 21, (THEWILL) – The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP has reiterated its call to persons to desist from engaging in any form of violence and human trafficking.
Bayelsa State Commander, Mrs Abieyuwa Ikhidero made the call during a sensitization program to residents, traders and business owners at the Swali ultra-modern market in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Mrs Ikhidero stated that NAPTIP which is the focal agency for the fight against human trafficking and related offences such as violence against persons, child labour, or selling of body parts is prepared to ensure that offenders are made to face the full wrath of the law.
“We are here to protect you against human trafficking and violence but we cannot do it alone, we need people to support us by reporting any case of human trafficking around you.”
She cautioned parents and guardians to take proper care of their wards and ensure that they are not deceived into human trafficking through promises of job employment, scholarship, or greener pastures outside the country.
Chairperson, Gender Response Initiative Team, GRIT, Barr Dise Goddy-Harry noted that the state government supports NAPTIP to protect all persons against human trafficking and all other forms of violence against women and children.
She called on all Bayelsans to stop all forms of gender-based violence adding that no offender when caught will go unpunished.
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer, CEO of ENWAF, Lady Eunice Nnachi emphasised the need for parents to be wary of human traffickers who disguise themselves as relatives promising to take care of their children and sponsor their education.
Lady Nnachi charged persons who are still engaging in human trafficking to desist from this act saying it is a major offence that attracts imprisonment
“Be careful about giving your children to people who say they will train them in school, sometimes, they could traffick them as domestic staff, inflicting harm and subjecting them to all forms of sexual exploitation”
On her part, Mrs Aqua Douye-Akpuruku, Program Officer, Women Organised for Mentorship and Advocacy Network, WOMAN pointed out that violence against women is wrong and should be discouraged in society.
The sensitisation of NAPTIP to the Swali market was in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Ministry of Women, Children Affairs Empowerment and Social Development, Gender Response Initiative Team, GRIT, Nigeria Immigration Service and NGOS including ENWAF, WOMAN, CCCRN, DO Foundation and End Violence Against Women Foundation.
About the Author
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
