NAPTIP blames poverty, ignorance for human trafficking in Nigeria

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Kano Zonal Office, says lack of economic opportunities, poor access to education and ignorance of associated risks are major drivers of human trafficking in Nigeria.

The Zonal Commander, Mr Abdullahi Babale, said this on Wednesday in Kano, while presenting a paper at a two-day training on Gender and Safeguarding, with focus on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), organised by Self Help Africa.

Babale said unemployment and limited vocational opportunities had continued to expose many youths to traffickers who lured them with promises of better livelihoods.

According to him, the absence of sustainable sources of income makes young people vulnerable to exploitation, as they are easily deceived with false assurances of jobs and improved living conditions.

He identified inadequate access to quality education as another key factor fueling trafficking.

“Limited access to education reduces awareness and critical thinking, thereby increasing the vulnerability of children and youths to traffickers,” he said.

The commander also cited high demand for cheap and submissive child labour in the informal sector, as well as increased migration opportunities facilitated by improved communication and transportation, as contributing factors.

He added that the desire of some youths to seek greener pastures abroad had further heightened their susceptibility to trafficking networks.

Babale decried institutional lapses, including inadequate political commitment and weak enforcement mechanisms, which he said undermined efforts to combat child trafficking and prosecute offenders.

He also warned that victims of trafficking often suffered severe maltreatment, sexual abuse, torture, exposure to diseases and emotional trauma.

The NAPTIP official explained that traffickers employed various control mechanisms, including intimidation, threats, violence, deception, debt bondage, social isolation and identity manipulation, to dominate their victims.

Babale said traffickers also used blackmail and false promises of employment to gain the cooperation of victims and their families.

The NAPTIP official called for intensified public awareness campaigns, improved access to education and expanded economic empowerment programmes to curb the menace.

He urged communities, parents and other stakeholders to collaborate with security agencies and report suspected trafficking cases promptly.

Vanguard News

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