Report human trafficking cases to NAPTIP- ICMPD urges Nigerians

By, Venica Uchechukwu Enugu 

 The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) has urged Nigerians to report cases of trafficking to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other relevant agencies.

The ICMPD Project Officer, Mr Christian Iloma, made this call in Enugu during a sensitization road-walk to commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

Iloma said the organisation orgainsed the walk with NAPTIP and other sister force agencies to create awareness on the issues of human trafficking.

“This is just an avenue that allows us to sensitise people and it is done annually. 

“So, we are joining our voices to end and curb human trafficking in Nigeria. 

“This to an extent goes beyond road walk but we are looking at behavioural change and people getting to see that the awareness goes beyond regular sensitisation but is positively some changes in their lives”, he said.

The project officer reiterated that the road walk was part of sensitisation efforts to educate the people to avoid being victims of trafficking.

“If you know someone who is in this kind of danger or who is affected in anyway, it is best to report them to the designated authority and in this case, NAPTIP”, Iloma added.

In his remarks, the NAPTIP South East Zonal Commander, Mr. Jonathan Ukpai said the sensitization was aimed at educating the people on the plight of illegal migrants and what they pass through.

This according to Ukpai was the reason they want to advice those planning to migrate illegally to discard the thought and travel legally using the official routes. 

“What we are saying is not that people should not travel but should do it legally. 

“We are partnering with the media, civil society organisations (CSOs), security agencies, Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders to carry-out this sensitisation walk” the NAPTIP commander said. 

Also, the Secretary of the Enugu State Task Force on Trafficking, Mrs Caroline Avah, noted that the walk aligns with the vision of NAPTIP, which are policy, prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership.

While stressing that the Task Force is making a lot of impact in the state, Avah stated that the state government is committed towards protecting the people from being victims of human trafficking.

“I advise the people to be watchful, that all that glitters are not gold. Be watchful especially now. 

“This is holiday period, they would come from everywhere that I want a child to live with my mummy, live with my auntie, it is not true. 

“We will continue to sensitise parents in churches to stop giving their children out to anybody”, she said.