The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has promised to do everything within its powers to kick human trafficking out of Nigeria.
The Commander in Bayelsa, Mrs Abieyuwa Ikhidero, made the pledge in Yenagoa on Saturday after a road walk to commemorate the 2022 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, annually marked on July 30 to raise awareness about the ills of trafficking in persons.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “The Use and Abuse of Technology.”
She called on the Bayelsa Government to join hands with NAPTIP to fight human trafficking as the local governments and the Bayelsa NAPTIP, had zero tolerance for human trafficking.
The Commander said it would no longer be business as usual for human traffickers in Bayelsa and Nigeria at large.
She urged young people and those molested in one form or the other to speak out, not to die in silence.
The commander warned those indulging in such acts to desist from it as the agency would surely go after them if they continued with trafficking.
She urged parents not to send their children for hawking and be watchful in taking care of them.
Ikhidero commended partners against human trafficking at the road walk, and urged them to continue with the good job of campaign to drive the scourge out of the country.
In her speech, Mrs Faith Opuene, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Gender Development, said human beings were not for sale and were not slaves, as God created all as equals.
Represented by Mr Felicia Owei, Director in the ministry, she said they were ready to partner with NAPTIP, to end human trafficking in all forms.
She said technology had been used to traffic people without knowing, promising them good jobs around, but it had affected them negatively.
She urged all to stand against all manners of child labour and trafficking of human beings.
Mr Simon Ayakpo, Commander, Federal Fire Service, said the fight against human trafficking involved everyone in the society.
He urged individuals to always speak out or pass information to NAPTIP, when they suspected trafficking of any kind or human labour.
A teacher from Bishop Dimieri Grammar School, Yenagoa, Mr Krutimi Ebiowei, who commended NAPTIP for the sensitisation, said he would work to change the narrative to young people.
He encouraged students and young people to always speak out and never to hide anything from their parents and teachers at school and mind how they used the internet.
The road walk which kicked off from Ekeki Motor Park Yenagoa through Government House ended at Peace Park.
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