Youth Alive Foundation has canvassed enforcement of stiffer laws and penalties against child traffickers in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State in particular.
It also wants an integrated approach, including the adoption of community policing, towards curbing the crime in borderline communities across the state.
These were part of the resolutions reached at the end of a stakeholders and media dialogue on Child Trafficking and Abuse in Nigeria, held in Uyo at the weekend.
In a communique signed by the Executive Director of the Foundation Africa, Dr. Uduak Okon, Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Task Force on Human Trafficking, Mrs. Emem Ette and others, the group expressed worry about the prevalence of the crime in the state.
The dialogue was attended by stakeholders from government agencies, security agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGO), civil society organisations, social media influencers, journalists, lawyers, students, concerned citizens and advocates.
They advocated a synchronised and centralised system of data management and information sharing in the state.
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The resolutions included: “The need for a sophisticated communication network between stakeholders, to match the highly organised network system of perpetrators.
“There should be medical evidence to secure prosecution of perpetrators, as such victims should be given quick and immediate medical attention in any hospital they approach.
“Traditional and religious leaders should be engaged and involved in the sensitisation and protection of children and citizens within their congregation, to create trust between communities, NGOs, civil societies, and reporting agencies, to enable whistle-blowers and more victims to come forward.
“There should be the recognition of vulnerable children like those begging on the streets, by traffic lights, and the importance of addressing their situation, plus the need to operate with a sense of urgency and readiness both in preventing child trafficking and abuse and in prosecuting offenders.
“Education and enlightenment of the public and most especially parents on ways to prevent child trafficking and abuse by media houses.
“Consequently, incorporation of social media influencers and platforms to increase sensitisation and awareness on trafficking and abuse, and security agencies should give prompt responses to reports of child trafficking and abuse.”