By Boma West
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has warned parents and guardians against fake overseas job offers, saying many young Nigerians have become victims of human trafficking after falling for deceptive promises of employment abroad.
The agency gave the warning on Saturday during an integrated health outreach and sensitisation campaign on human trafficking, gender based violence and drug abuse held in Kabusa Community of the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri Azi, the agency’s Public Enlightenment Officer, Thamus Akinwale, urged residents to be vigilant and report suspicious individuals or activities to traditional rulers and security agencies.
He said traffickers often lure victims with promises of jobs, scholarships and better living conditions, adding that awareness remains one of the strongest weapons against the crime.
The awareness campaign was organised by the BlueNorth Initiative for the Prevention of Human Trafficking in partnership with NAPTIP, Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, Adorable Foundation International, Diamond Humanitarian Empowerment Support Initiative, Mama Centre, the Sarina Project and other organisations.
Declaring the programme open, the Chief of Kabusa Community, His Royal Highness Samuel Kpowu, described the initiative as timely and necessary.
He said the campaign would help residents understand the tactics used by traffickers and strengthen efforts to protect children and young people from exploitation.
Speaking with journalists, the Country Director of BlueNorth Initiative, Boma West, urged parents to build stronger relationships with their children and pay closer attention to their movements and welfare.
She said the organisation would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to educate communities and prevent human trafficking through sustained public awareness campaigns.
West, however, identified inadequate funding as a major obstacle to expanding the organisation’s outreach across the country.
She called on government agencies, development partners, private organisations and well meaning Nigerians to support anti trafficking initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable people.
As part of the programme, the organisation staged a drama in Hausa showing how traffickers deceive unsuspecting victims with false promises of employment and a better life.
Veteran Nollywood actress and philanthropist, Princess Maureen Ihua, also urged parents to monitor their children’s activities and friendships, warning that drug abuse among young people had become a growing concern.
Princess Elizabeth, Queen of ASAKADA, said continuous awareness in schools and communities remained critical to reducing drug abuse and human trafficking.
She called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society groups, the media and community leaders to address the twin challenges.
The organisers also revealed that BlueNorth Initiative recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NAPTIP to strengthen nationwide awareness campaigns against human trafficking and drug abuse.
Residents of Kabusa Community also received free medical screening during the outreach, while those diagnosed with eye defects were provided with prescription eyeglasses at no cost.
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