The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, has pledged to work with relevant agencies and stakeholders to combat child trafficking in Niger State.
It also vowed to go after perpetrators of child trafficking and child labour, as well as medical personnel involved in organ trafficking.
The agency’s state commander, Emmanuel Awhen, stated that NAPTIP is committed to bringing an end to the scourge of trafficking in persons, especially the trafficking of under-age girls for prostitution in the state.
Awhen also appealed to the public to report any cases of child trafficking to the command for prompt action, emphasising that NAPTIP needs information from the people of the state to bring traffickers to justice.
According to him, “Our agency is new in Niger State. We have visited all relevant sister security agencies, the DSS, the Police, the Civil Defence and all critical stakeholders and requested for team work. We also want members of the public to assist us to make the state inhabitable for trafficking and exportation of underage girls for prostitution outside the country.”
Awhen noted that NAPTIP has a law against organ harvesting and will prosecute offenders.
“The agency will go after perpetrators of child trafficking and child labor, as well as medical personnel involved in organ trafficking,” he stated.
He further called on the media in the state to partner with NAPTIP to collectively achieve its goal of combating trafficking in persons.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration in making Niger State inhospitable to traffickers.
The NAPTIP commander lamented the increasing number of school-age children, particularly girls, being engaged as housemaids, while urging those behind such acts to desist or be prepared to face the full wrath of the agency.
