Fides Media Living the Faith
By Ikeugonna Eleke
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has decried the spate of baby factory and human egg sales in the South East.
Mrs Lilian Ezenwa, National Vice President, Network of Civil Society Organizations against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), disclosed this in Awka on Thursday during a workshop organised by NAPTIP.
She said, ‘Cases of baby sales, baby factory and egg sale, are becoming rampant in the South East. So, government needs to partner with stakeholders to curb these problems.’
She described trafficking of persons and smuggling of migrants as a crime against humanity which should be eradicated in the country.
‘The focus has always been in the South South, especially Edo State, but the South East is becoming a time bomb that cannot be ignored. In January, 13 young men en-route Libya, were arrested in Kano and 11 of them were from the South East,’ Ezenwa said.
Mrs Judith-Chukwu Ibadin, the commander of NAPTIP in Anambra, during a presentation at the opening of the three-day Stakeholders’ Sensitisation Forum organised by Action against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (A-TIPSOM- Nigeria), said NAPTIP had recorded over 40 cases of human trafficking in Anambra in one year.
She however stated that with NACTAL and her sensitization workshops, such cases would be whittled down considerably.
‘This workshop is supported by NACTAL, Anambra Chapter, and funded by the European Union and the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP).
‘The majority of the cases handled by the agency included child sexual exploitation and sale of babies.
‘We have recorded and handled over 40 heart-touching cases of human trafficking in Anambra in the last one year and it borders more on women and children.
‘Children are being sold like commodities in the state which is why we hear cases of missing children. This is so disturbing.
‘It is not a fight for NAPTIP alone. We are calling for partnership with the state government, organisations and stakeholders, to eradicate the menace in our society,’ she said.
In his address, Mr Joseph Sanwo, Senior Project Officer, A-TIPSOM- Nigeria/FIIAPP, said the organisations were supporting the government in Nigeria to reduce trafficking of persons and smuggling of migrants and increase awareness in the country.
‘I’m happy that the people of Anambra have accepted that there is a challenge of human trafficking in the state. So, we need to gather all the support to nip this menace in the bud.
‘It is okay to travel outside the country, but I advise that you travel right,’ he said.