NAPTIP raises alarm over trafficking of IDPs in Borno
By Njadvara MUSA, Maiduguri
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raised alarm over the increasing rates of trafficking internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Maiduguri to other cities in the country.
Lamenting the rise, yesterday (Wednesday), in Maiduguri, the NAPTIP Zonal Commander, Mansur Ahmed at the induction of 150 anti-trafficking vanguards, disclosed that the IDPs are lured for various menial jobs in Abuja and Lagos.
He said that since the IDPs are vulnerable and accept the offer of being trafficked, they later realized that it was a deceit to short change them with no jobs.
Represented by the Agency’s chief intelligence officer, Abubakar Tabra, the Commander noted that the traffickers excessively exploit the vulnerability of the displaced persons in camps and host communities of Borno state.
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He, therefore, urged the IDPs not to fall victims to the deceptions of the traffickers.
“They should always contact their IDP camp managers before taking any action,” he warned.
According to him, trafficking in persons is the second transnational organised crime after illicit drug dealings.
“Youth are the primary target of human traffickers,” he noted, stating that enlightenment campaigns be embarked against the ills of trafficking
He also expressed the determination of the agency to tackle the growing menace.
The Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Sports, Saina Buba said that the State Government will collaborate with NAPTIP to end human trafficking.
Representative of organizers of the programme and Dandal Kura Radio., Managing Director, Farouq Dalhatu said the one-week sensitization workshop is to expose youths to the dangers of human trafficking.
He said during the induction of vanguard, papers would be presented on tactics and methods deployed by would-be traffickers and religious perspectives to trafficking.
“How to escape in the event they fall victims to the traffickers will also be taught to the vanguards,” he said.
