NAPTIP decries parents’ involvement in trafficking

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), yesterday, alleged that parents are the major actors aiding human trafficking in Oyo State.

Head, Oyo State office of NAPTIP, Augustine Akanya, stated this in Ibadan, the state capital.

Akanya spoke during a town hall meeting of stakeholders organised by Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF).

The event was attended by Seun Ademola-Salami, who represented the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General in the state; Abiodun Aikomo, Tayo Ayoade, who represented the Executive Director of AAF; Mabel Adinya Ade, community leaders, women groups and representatives from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW) and Justice Development and Peace Commission.

Akanya said that parents, especially mothers, were involved in the majority of cases of human trafficking in the state.

He, therefore, urged parents and other stakeholders to tackle the menace without further delay.

He said: “Our role is to tackle human trafficking and violence against persons (domestic and international trafficking). With 80 per cent of cases of human trafficking that I have treated in the state, parents are involved. We have seen situations where the mother sends the child to Libya and the father is not aware.

“The role of parents in human trafficking is enormous.”

Meanwhile, Ade, who noted that the programme was aimed to curb the menace of human trafficking in the country, added that the programme had been organised in Benue and Taraba states.

She said: “I stand before you today to address a menace that threatens the very fabric of our society–human trafficking. This heinous crime exploits the most vulnerable among us, especially our children, robbing them of their innocence, dreams, and futures.

“The ripple effects of human trafficking are profound, leading to broken families, shattered communities, and a compromised future for our society.”