• Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Eno Ime Akpan (4th left) & others at the briefing, on Friday
• 750,000– 1 million children trafficked between 2021 and 2024 in Akwa Ibom – NAPTIP
Itoro Bassey
The Akwa Ibom State Government is set to observe National Human Trafficking Awareness Day 2025 on Saturday, January 11, to raise awareness about the global issue of human trafficking.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Eno Ime Akpan, announced this during a media briefing in Uyo on Friday, January 10.
Mrs. Akpan stated that the event would be held in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse, and Labour (NACTAL), with the theme “Strengthening Communities by Connecting the Dots.”
She stated that the day would focus on recognising the reality of human trafficking and taking steps to address this serious violation of human rights.
The Permanent Secretary emphasised that it would serve as a reminder of the urgent global issue of human trafficking and the importance of everyone’s involvement in its prevention and eradication.
Akpan, who characterized Governor Umo Eno as a compassionate leader, noted that he has demonstrated his caring nature through various programs and initiatives of his administration, including the building of compassionate homes for those in need.
“Governor Eno has trained and empowered over 800 youths and has already provided business grants of N50,000 to 15,000 of them. He is aiming to reach a total of 60,000.
“Youths, women, and children are the most significant victims of human trafficking, so it is important for them to be aware of the governor’s extensive efforts in empowerment to help prevent their involvement in crime.”, she said.
In her presentation, Eme Inionong Ukpabio, the Head of Public Enlightenment and spokesperson for NAPTIP in the state, provided alarming statistics on human trafficking trends.
Ukpabio revealed that between 2021 and 2024, approximately 750,000 to 1 million children have been abducted for trafficking and other exploitative purposes.
Mrs. Ukpabio characterized human trafficking as a form of modern-day slavery, emphasising that it involves the exploitation of individuals for profit.
She explained that this issue can manifest in various forms, often involving victims being forced, coerced, deceived, or manipulated into providing sexual services or labour through the abuse of trust, power, or authority.
She outlined the key elements of human trafficking, which include the recruitment, transportation, and transfer of victims to different locations, saying that this heinous act can be carried out by individuals, gangs, or organised criminal networks.
Ukpabio identified several types of human trafficking commonly perpetrated by traffickers, including sex trafficking (also referred to as commercial sexual exploitation), labor trafficking, and organ harvesting. She added that the agency has recorded numerous arrests, with over 60 convictions of offenders between 2021 and 2024, while 15 cases are still pending in court.
Additionally, Mr. Peace Edem from the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse, and Labour (NACTAL) addressed the severe dangers associated with human trafficking, highlighting the significant physical, psychological, and emotional trauma inflicted on victims.
Edem further noted that human trafficking has evolved with the advent of information and communication technologies (ICTs), where young women are now sharing nude photographs to attract potential clients for illicit sexual encounters.
He urged community members to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases to the appropriate authorities.
• Photos of the briefing
