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By Correspondent in Minna.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Niger State Command, has pledged to work closely with security agencies and other stakeholders to curb child trafficking and related crimes in the state.
The State Commander of the agency,Mr. Awhen Emmanuel, made this known while briefing journalists in his office in Minna on the agency’s efforts to check child trafficking and the exportation of underaged girls for prostitution abroad.
According to him, NAPTIP in the state will intensify collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), the Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other relevant institutions to reduce the scourge that has damaged Nigeria’s image globally.
He urged citizens to promptly report cases of child trafficking to the agency.
“NAPTIP is new in Niger State. We have visited all relevant sister security agencies and critical stakeholders to make our presence known. Our core mission is to collaborate with others to bring an end—or at least reduce to the barest minimum—cases of child trafficking in Niger State,” Emmanuel stated.
He stressed that the agency relies on timely information from the public to bring perpetrators to justice.
While lamenting the rising number of children of school age, especially girls, being exploited as housemaids, he warned offenders to desist from such acts or face the full wrath of the law.
The Commander explained that Niger State has long served as a transit route for traffickers to neighboring countries, which informed the establishment of the command barely two months ago. He noted that the agency’s mandate also covers arresting, investigating, and prosecuting offenders engaged in child labor, exploitation, and prostitution.
In addition, Emmanuel revealed that NAPTIP is targeting unscrupulous medical practitioners involved in organ harvesting, describing the practice as criminal and inhumane.
“There is a law against organ harvesting, and NAPTIP will go after any medical personnel found culpable,” he warned.
He appealed to journalists in the state to partner with the command in creating awareness and supporting the agency’s mission to eradicate child trafficking and related vices.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
