BY UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA
The Commandant of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Niger State Command, Mr. Emmanuel Ahwen, has described human trafficking as a modern-day form of slavery that involves the recruitment, transportation, and exploitation of people for various purposes.
Mr. Ahwen made this known during a courtesy visit to the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State Council, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration with the media in the fight against human trafficking and child exploitation.
He explained that Niger State is one of the most affected areas in the country, serving as a source, transit, and destination point for traffickers due to its strategic location.
“We cannot reach everywhere, but we know the power of the media. That is why we are here to seek your cooperation and support in spreading the message to rural communities where we may not be able to reach,” he said.
The Commandant stressed that human trafficking is not limited to sexual or labor exploitation but also includes situations where domestic workers’ earnings are paid to agents or parents instead of the workers themselves.
He revealed that NAPTIP has produced jingles in English and three major local languages to raise awareness and encourage people to report trafficking cases to the agency.
In his response, the Chairman of the NUJ, Niger State Council, Comrade Abu Anyomegun
, commended NAPTIP for recognizing the media as a vital partner in the fight against human trafficking. He assured the agency of the Union’s full cooperation and urged NAPTIP to involve journalists in future activities and training programs.
Comrade Anyomegun also suggested that NAPTIP should organize radio talk shows to create more public awareness and provide confidential ways for victims or informants to report cases.
He reaffirmed NUJ’s commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at ending human trafficking in the state.
Also Speaking,the Secretary of State NUJ Usman Mohammed Chiji, assured the NAPTIP State Commander of the council Unflishing Support in given the state Command the needed Publicity that will create public awareness on the activities of the agency in Niger State.
Mohammed Chiji Further assured the state Commander of NAPTIP that working Journalists in Niger State are well grounded professional that conduct themselves within the professional ethics t of journalism assuring that the state Council of the NUJ will continue to partner with his agency for him achieve his set objectives.
