By Alex Enebeli

A non-governmental organisation, Youth Child Support Initiative (YCSI), in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has called for an end to children trafficking.

They made the call on Wednesday during a march against trafficking in Enugu.

The event, which was titled “Anti Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign in commemoration of the 2025 World Day Against Trafficking”, was also carried out with other partners.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was funded by the Government of Netherlands and implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

NAN also reports that the road walk, which started at Onu Asata area of Enugu State, ended at the Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Enugu.

Speaking during the exercise, the Executive Director, YCSI, Dr Ijeoma Nnaji, said the walk was to give visibility about trafficking in the society and how people would be prevented from it or even reduce it.

Nnaji, who is the South-East Zonal Coordinator, Network of Civil Societies Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), added that human trafficking was all about exploitation.

“When you are exploited, you are used for different things for gain. So today, we are marking the World Day Against Human Trafficking to enlightening people that trafficking is still with us.

“There are so many of our children, youths and villages that are being exploited. Today’s World Trafficking Day speaks on theme of ending exploitation.

“Many of our younger ones are being killed or even have their organs taken due to trafficking,” she said.

Nnaji explained that NAPTIP organised the exercise through NACTAL as a civil society organisation with support from ICMPD.

She, however, called for collaborative efforts to combat the menace, stressing that government alone could not fight it.

The NAPTIP Zonal Commander, Mr Jonathan Ukpai, on his part, said the agency had been in the forefront of the investigation, arrest and prosecution of persons that were involved in human trafficking.

Ukpai, represented by the Head, Legal and Prosecution Unit of NAPTIP, Vivienne Ngene, added that the agency had devised different strategies and means to pop the areas of human trafficking across the country.

According to her, NAPTIP has recorded over 1,000 convictions nationwide since inception in 2003.

“We should end exploitation of our children now and this is a message to everybody that NAPTIP is still alive and are watching whoever that will involve in the issue of human trafficking.

“Enugu State Government has been supportive against human trafficking,” he said.

The zonal commander further defined human trafficking as recruitment, receipt of persons by means of deception, force, coercion for the purpose of exploitation.

Receiving them at the Ministry of Gender Affairs, Mrs Esther Mbah, the Director of Gender Affairs, Enugu State Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, extolled the collaboration between the ministry and NAPTIP.

In a remark, the Chairman of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council,
His Royal Majesty, Samuel Asadu, described human trafficking as a tragedy and a crime against God and humanity.

Asadu, represented by the Traditional Ruler of Ugwuaji Awkunanaw, HRH Chinedu Nwobodo, reiterated the commitment of royal fathers in the state in the fight against human trafficking. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu