The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in collaboration with International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) have called on the residents of Idiroko border communities to increase their cooperation in fight against human trafficking and violence against persons.

The agency also cautioned the citizens to be wary of various forms of human trafficking including: online recruitment with juicy promises, sexual exploitation, organ harvesting, baby factory, sextortion and child trafficking, among others.

The Commander of NAPTIP, in Ogun State, Bose Jimoh, disclosed this at the weekend during a community engagement with the residents on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Violence Against Persons (VAP) at the Idiroko border in Ipokia Local Council of the state.

Jimoh urged traditional and religious leaders, community development committees, youth groups, market women, transport workers, security agencies, and other relevant stakeholders at the event to join hands with the two agencies to curb trafficking and violence against persons.

She said that the Idiroko border remained a critical point in the fight against human trafficking due to its proximity to an international border and its frequent use by traffickers as a transit route, noting that the meeting was to equip the residents with sufficient information to identify the red flags of human trafficking

The Commander said” So, we are here to build the capacity of relevant stakeholders, especially community members. Victims of human trafficking are usually recruited from communities for exploitation, either within or outside the country.

“Hence, the capacity-building programme, which is being implemented in partnership with ICMPD and funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is aimed at ensuring that these key stakeholders are well equipped with sufficient information to identify the red flags of human trafficking. This will enable them to quickly raise the alarm, report suspected cases, and ensure that appropriate action is taken immediately.”

“It is also important to emphasise that Idiroko, being a border community, is very critical to these efforts. As one of our major international borders, it is a route through which many victims of human trafficking are taken.” she added.

Jimoh warned that human traffickers remain relentless in their efforts to exploit vulnerable individuals, stressing that they continually seek out new opportunities to carry out their activities.

She, however, urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspected case or act of human trafficking to the relevant authorities.

Also speaking, the Project Officer of ICMPD and Coordinator of the implementation of the School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project, Samuel Okoroji, said the engagement was organised as part of efforts to sensitise border communities on the dangers of human trafficking and violence against persons.

Okoroji explained that, under the initiative, ICMPD was implementing two complementary projects: the Trafficking in Persons and Violence Against Persons Project and the School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project.

He further disclosed that ICMPD, in collaboration with its partners, would provide stakeholders with a comprehensive directory of service providers across Ogun State, saying that the aim of the initiative was to strengthen cases of human trafficking and violence.