NAPTIP Advises Youths on Antics of Human Traffickers

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Director General (DG) of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, has urged  youths nationwide to be wary of the antics of human traffickers who come around them in the clothing of helpers.

She insisted that just like wolves in sleep clothing looking for who to devour, human traffickers come around youths disguising as helpers to take advantage of their naivety and sometimes helplessness.

The DG emphasised that these individuals aim to deceive and derail the future dreams and aspirations of unsuspecting youths.

Waziri-Azi delivered this crucial advice yesterday , during her address to the Management and Students of Government Day Secondary School, Dutse-Alhaji, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja in commemoration with the 2023 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.

Her address coincided with the inauguration of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Violence against Persons Vanguard at the school, marking the 104th Vanguard inaugurated by the agency across the country with support from the Ford
Foundation.

Waziri-Azi outlined that one of the primary objectives of the Vanguard is to provide a platform for students to receive education on issues that relate to human trafficking and violence against persons, adding that the intention is to empower students to, in turn, educate others within their school, homes, and communities.

She said: “Education is not just a tool for preventing trafficking; it is a shield that empowers individuals to recognize the signs and protect themselves and others.”

She further highlighted the ongoing initiative of inaugurating Vanguards in secondary schools, emphasizing the responsibility of students as advocates against the crimes of human trafficking and violence against persons, recognising the red flags for these crimes and knowing the various reporting channels to report issues of human trafficking and violence against persons.

“This is why since last year we have been inaugurating Vanguards in Secondary Schools, a platform for you to sensitize yourself and sensitize others using the whole-of-school and whole-of-family approach. So far, we have inaugurated 103 Vanguards across the country comprising Federal government Unity Schools, Military Schools, Government Schools, Faith-Based Schools and Abuja School for the Deaf,” she added.

The Principal of the School, Mr. Emmanuel Balogun Ayodeji, expressed commendation for NAPTIP’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate of providing adequate information and enlightenment for vulnerable groups in society through platforms like school Vanguards. He acknowledged NAPTIP’s deliberate effort to nurture students towards making informed life choices.

The programme also featured a panel discussion on the topic “Investing in the Girl Child, towards a Sustainable Nation.”