TRAFFICKING: NAPTIP, PRAWA FLAGS OFF YULETIDE SENSITIZATION CAMPAIGN IN COMMUNITIES , SCHOOLS IN EDO STATE.

By: Eben Enasco Kingsley (Benin City)

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) a non – governmental Organization has flagged off yuletide sensitization campaigns against human trafficking and elicit drug abuse in communities and schools in Edo State.

The programme was put in place on the heels of the yuletide festivities which is usually a fertile period for human traffickers to recruit victims for human trafficking and related crimes.

This first phase of the campaigns took both collaborating organizations to Aviele, Ehor, Uselu, Oke-Irhue and Ogueka communities of the state.

The campaigns programme also targeted higher institutions which include, University of Benin, Benson Idahosa University, Centre for community Development Education and International Institute for Journalism among others.

The activities, which was beamed at the communities and schools in order to enhance measures that will lead to the eradication of human trafficking and drug abuse in communities, witnessed large numbers of Participants and stakeholders that turned out enmasse in these institutions to serve as vanguard against human trafficking and drug abuse for a better society.

Some notable participants include the Enogies. Farmers, market women, vigilante groups, youth leaders, religious and opinion leaders in the communities.

It will be recalled that, despite the efforts of NAPTIP in the areas of prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership with critical stakeholders, human trafficking still ravages the communities and this has impacted negatively in the society.

Speaking at the various occasion, the Benin Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs. Cordelia Oluchi Ebiringa, reiterated the essence of stakeholders to join hands with NAPTIP to stop human trafficking.

She said, ” human trafficking and drug abuse have caused social dislocation in many families and communities across Edo State, adding that human beings are price priceless; whilst, no amount of money can

purchase them. They should be accorded the dignity they deserve in the society. Trafficking in human commodities, she continued, debases the dignity and self worth of the human persons. Human trafficking can be stopped through communal effort and shared brotherhood across communities.

Earlier at the occasion, the Programme Officer of PRAWA, Mr. Nonso Maduka, disclosed some of the consequences of drug abuse while urging members of the communities and schools to shun the ills because of its negative impacts on human life.

He however noted that, number of persons have lost their lives through the abuse of drugs while others have lost their ability to cope rationally as human beings; adding that, the entire society will be affected if a stop is not put to the scourge.