By Prisca Nguzo
National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has decried the increasing cases of missing teenagers, child selling and other forms of human trafficking in Imo State and called for urgent intervention by both the government and stakeholders of the State.
The State NAPTIP Commander, Mr. Ernest Ogbu made the call at a one-day sensitization programme to mark the 2024 World Day Against Human Trafficking organized by the agency in collaboration with Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) held at Community Hall, Umudagu - Mberi in Mbaitoli Council of the State weekend.
Ogbu disclosed that in the last two years, over 10 cases of missing of teenagers especially girls have been recorded, and while some rescued, the whereabouts of others remain unknown, "raising concern that they may have either been used for ritual purposes or exported out of the country for illicit businesses."
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He said the event, majorly sponsored by one of NAPTIP Chief Ambassadors and President/Founder, RARDUJA International, Hon. Eddy Duru, was designed to deepen awareness against the menace and dangers of human trafficking across the communities of the state.
According to him, "the task of combating human trafficking which includes the sexual exploitation of the underage children, irregular migration, child selling and abuse as well as raising adequate awareness against the menace remain a collective responsibility of all and sundry in the state."
Ogbu said, "Honestly we at NAPTIP are getting worried because children are missing in Imo almost everyday. We are receiving this complaint everyday. Our teenagers particularly the female ones are taken outside country for prostitution and other illicit businesses.
"Just recently, you heard about 7 girls of Imo State extraction, over 15 of them who were travelling to Ghana for the purpose of luring them into prostitution. It took the serious effort of the Agency and other partners to be able to rescue and bring these children back home.
"And these are children whose consent of their parents were sought for before they were taken out of their respective homes. This things happened because of ignorance or knowledge of this menace and its consequences."
The Imo NAPTIP boss continued, "On the other hand, buying and selling of children is now a common trend in Imo State. Just few days ago, we heard about cases of one's that happened in Nkwerre and Onuimo council areas of this state.
"As we speak, I have over 10 cases of missing children in Imo State. What happens to this children outside their family fold, nobody can give account of it. Some were taken away for ritual purposes, some were taken for illegal adoption. These are a very serious crime against humanity. So we are saying this things are wrong and must be stopped.
"So we are using this event to bring knowledge and understanding of this phenomenon to Imo people especially those in our rural areas and to inform them that danger looms if we continue to allow our children to be trafficked, certainly all of us will pay the huge price.
"So I am imploring parents to take advantage of this sensitization programme we are doing now to ensure that they take good hold of their children. They should be able to take good responsibility of their children.
"People are free to travel and if you are going to travel, travel by observing the law guiding the country you are leaving and the country where you are going so that you don't fall victim to this menace."
"As you are aware, human trafficking is the third most profitable business in the world. It is a crime that has little dictation and so much profit. This explains the increasing cases of this menace in the state and across the globe."
"Just recently, NAPTIP entered partnership with the Imo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups to raise awareness against sexual exploitation of our children. We are telling our parents to be careful because our underage children are also being sexually exploitated in the hotels.
"There are several hotels in Imo State now that take joy in allowing old men take undue advantage of this minors. These men are buying sex from them. These men are luring them into full time prostitution. Many of our underage girls in it call it hook-up. These are children who ordinary should be in school learning or helping their parents out in their businesses or at home.
"We understand that things are difficult but that should not be the reason they should expose themselves to something that can kill them or destroy their future because some die from it." Ogbu added.
The event had in attendance stakeholders of Umudagu community including the traditional ruler, women leaders, youths, heads of schools, NAPTIP partners in the state among others.
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