The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello, has urged parents and Nigerians to be vigilant and watch out for any suspicious persons who may use the opportunity of the celebration to lure, recruit and traffic their children and wards for sexual or labour exploitation.
The Director General gave the advice in Abuja while speaking at the end-of-the-year thanksgiving programme organized by the NAPTIP Christian Fellowship.
She also urged Officers of the Agency and all stakeholders to imbibe the spirit of unity, love, and religious tolerance as Christians all over the world celebrate Christmas which symbolizes the birth of Jesus Christ.
Bello, in a statement by Press Officer of the agency, Vincent Adekoye, said: “Christmas is all about love, Giving, and unity. So, while celebrating in this season, let us remember that we are all created by God Almighty. Let us work in unity and love without any division.
“It is also important to advise all parents and stakeholders across the country that while celebrating in our various towns, villages, and communities, let us be vigilant and keep an eye over our children and wards. We should not forget that this is the period when traffickers come around with their ill-gotten wealth and deceive people.
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“I am therefore appealing to our community leaders to report any suspicious movement or activities to NAPTIP. Our reporting platforms are all active and we shall respond to such reports. Let us unite and say no to human trafficking.
“On our part, we shall continue to work hard through the implementation of various counter-trafficking policies and initiatives, through massive enlightenment and awareness creation, through rescue, counselling, and rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking and violence against persons as well as diligent prosecution of traffickers, to outsmart these organized criminal elements.”
She thanked President Bola Tinubu for his sustained support to the fight against human trafficking in the Country, the Ministry of Justice and the National Assembly for their unwavering legislative support.
She urged for collective efforts to tackle human traffickers.
“Human traffickers are enemies of this generation and we must unite, share information and collaborate to defeat them.”