By Omolara Adasofunjo
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, has expressed concern over the alarming rate of human trafficking cases recorded in recent years.
The Ogun State Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs. Bosede Jimoh, stated this during a sensitisation on irregular migration organised by the Ogun State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ,in collaboration with the Police Officers’ Wives Association, POWA, held at Lafenwa market, Abeokuta.
Mrs Jimoh, who disclosed that the command had apprehended over 70 suspected traffickers and rescued more than 100 victims, described the trend as a threat to national security.
According to her, many trafficked girls have been forced into prostitution and subjected to inhumane and harmful practices.
While calling on communities, parents, teachers and the media to support NAPTIP in the fight against human trafficking, Mrs Jimoh noted that inter-agency collaboration has enhanced the arrest of suspects, rescue of victims and prosecution of offenders.
In a remark, the POWA Chairperson, Mrs Olubusola Ogunlowo, described human trafficking and irregular migration as serious threats affecting families and communities.
Mrs. Ogunlowo identified economic empowerment as a key strategy in preventing trafficking and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to promoting opportunities for women and youth in the state.
Also speaking, a representative of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, ICMPD, Mr Solomon Obanla, urged media organisations to intensify public enlightenment on the dangers, signs and consequences of human trafficking.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ogun State Council, Mr Wale Olanrewaju, called for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to address what he described as a growing societal menace.
Earlier, the NAWOJ Chairperson in the state, Mrs Oluwatoyin Adegoke, said the programme would raise social change agents, who would create awareness and reduce cases of human trafficking.
Mrs Adegoke explained that Lafenwa Market was deliberately selected to educate traders on deceptive tactics of traffickers and the dangers of irregular migration.
