Tony Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs. Ibadin Judith Chukwu, has warned Nigerians, especially the youth, to be wary of social media adverts, stating they( adverts) are the flattest means for human trafficking these days.
Chukwu stated this on Friday while speaking to journalists in Awka, the Anambra State capital, in preparation for the ceremony to mark the 2022 World Human Trafficking Day, coming up on Saturday.
She said, “I’m appealing to Nigerians, especially young boys and girls who are so desirous to be rich by all means to be mindful of adverts on the social media; the social media has become the fastest means for human traffickers to get their victims.”
She appealed to the State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to assist the agency to build an operational office in Anambra State to enable the agency to work effectively in the state, noting that the facility, if provided, would enable the agency to render rehabilitation and integrated services to victims of human trafficking in the state.
She added, “The office will also enable us to bring our human trafficking suspects and interrogate them in accordance with the laws of NAPTIP. Our duty is to arrest human traffickers, rescue the victims, rehabilitate and integrate them back to society for a better living.
“As we speak, we are using rented apartment without security, our lives are in danger as well. We detain our victims under the custody of the police, NSCDC, DSS, Immigration and the State Ministry of Women/Social Welfare for safety. The agency in the state is appealing to Governor Soludo to assist provide a conducive office to enable us render effective services to Ndi-Anambra.”
She commended the State Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, for what she called his prompt response whenever there was an emergency.