From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has received a major boost in its fight against child trafficking in Enugu State as the state chapter of Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) joined forces with the agency.
State Coordinator of NACTAL, Amarachi Kene-Okafor, who spoke at a media engagement in commemoration of the 2022 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, said they were poised to take the fight to every nook and cranny of the state.
She lamented the use of social media and new technology by traffickers in the recruiting and transporting their victims, adding that the group had perfected plans partner with NAPTIP in tackling the scourge through deployment of technology: “The internet and digital platforms offer traffickers numerous tools to recruit, exploit, and control victims; organize their transport and accommodation; advertise victims and reach out to potential clients; and communicate among perpetrators.
Moreover, technology allows these criminals to operate internationally across jurisdictions and evade detection with greater ease.”
According to her, traffickers cash in on crisis situations to ply their trade knowing that in a chaotic situation, people can seek help of any kind.
She further said that prevention and awareness-raising activities on the safe use of the internet and social media could help mitigate the risk of people falling victim of trafficking online.
Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, South East, Nneka Ajia condemned human trafficking which she according to her was modern slavery.
She said that people use various tactics to traffic in humans which are inimical to society.
