The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Ogun Command, says it has sensitised 21, 792 pupils on human trafficking and its menace in the state within two months.
The Commander, NAPTIP Ogun , Mrs Abosede Jimoh, who was the leader of the campaign in the schools, made the disclosure while reacting to the initiative on Sunday in Abeokuta.
Jimoh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that such sensitisation recorded meaningful impact on the pupils.
According her, high percentage of the pupils are ignorant that this human exploitation exists.
She explained that the traffickers procured and recruited persons for sexual exploitation in and outside the country
” The pupils, prior to the sensitisation, did not know they could be manipulated into child labour, baby factory and sales, orphanage trafficking by some owners of orphanage homes.
“Buying and selling of human beings for financial gain, sextortion and organ harvesting among others are the activities of perpetrators,” she explained.
She added that the agency also incorporated some students as members of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Violence Against Persons. (ATIPVAP) club in each of the schools
” The clubs would enhance continuous anti – human trafficking meetings that would keep the pupils abreast of trends in human trafficking industry.” she said.
The commander said that within the two months, the Ogun Command of NAPTIP visited eight secondary schools to combat the crime industry and the menaces it portended.
Some of the schools that benefited from the initiative included: Community Comprehensive High School Ewekoro,. Premier Grammar School, Lafenwa, Unity High School, Ago Ika, , Salawu Abiola Comprehensive High, School Lafenwa,St Peters College, Olumore , among others.
Jimoh said that NAPTIP in Ogun, had already secured two convictions with many cases pending in court .
The energised sensitisation in Ogun Secondary Schools was to prevent these human trafficking syndicates’ from fishing on the youths in the state.
NAN reports that NAPTIP, in collaboration with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and Ogun state Ministry of Education, facilitated the initiative under its project tagged “Schools Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project” (STEAP).
The Principal, Premier High School, Lafenwa, Abeokuta, Mr David Oke, in his reactions , said the campaign was a divine intervention saying the enlightenment through media could not improve pupils like the physical campaign.
He said, ” Nigerian pupils can never catch the full grasp of this sensitisation on Television, Radio or any social media, among others as this physical one.
” This campaign made the students felt cared for and NAPTIP ensured the sensitisation program is effected in other schools.” he said.
Oke commended the NAPTIP DG, Binta Adamu-Bello for safeguarding the future of Ogun pupils through Schools Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP.)
He further commended the DG for rescuing the country’s 78 victims of human trafficking, in connection with partners, that were recruited and trafficked to Côte d’Ivoire recently.
“The agency’s employing all strategies to arrest and prosecute members of this organised human trafficking syndicate responsible for the recruitment and trafficking of Nigerian girls for sundry exploitation anywhere around the world is highly appreciated,
” Also alerting the syndicates that when caught up in the rat race for unearned riches through fraudulent online activities, will not be waived but keenly prosecuted is laudable,” Oke said.
He promised that the inaugurated anti – trafficking club in the school would meet regularly and function effectively.
Comrade Rotimi Okeleye, the Deputy Director Education, Ministry of Science and Technology , described the program as a very wonderful program
” The program is talking on how human trafficking could be put at an end in Nigeria.
” This is the reason NAPTIP, ICMP and Ogun state came together to drive this campaign among the youth,” he said.
Mrs Kate Adebayo, a parent and textile trader at Itoku Market, Abeokuta, who spoke on behalf of parents urged the agency to replicate the sensitisation in other states.
According to her, the exposure would put fear in many youths that don’t listen to their parents. (NAN)
