The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, has blamed the rising scourge of human trafficking in Nigeria on years of economic decline and the collapse of industries across the country.
Speaking at the public presentation of a novel titled Vicious Red Circle by Ambassador Alex Ugochukwu Oriaku, Yilwatda said worsening economic conditions have driven many Nigerians into desperate migration and exploitation.
Recalling his experience as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Chair of the African-European Migration and Development Team, he called for inclusive, community-driven strategies to tackle human trafficking.
He expressed optimism that ongoing reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would reposition the economy and create opportunities for the country’s teeming youth population. He, however, stressed that the fight must extend beyond government agencies to involve families, schools, and local communities.
“We can stop this cycle,” he said. “This book challenges us to do so. It must not remain on your shelf — let it remain in your heart. It reflects the pain of vulnerable Nigerians who fall prey to traffickers because of economic despair.”
Yilwatda praised the author for using storytelling as a tool for social reform, describing Vicious Red Circle as “courage in ink.”
In his remarks, Ambassador Oriaku described human trafficking as “a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle of exploitation, vulnerability, and silence.” He said his novel was not just fiction but “a clarion call to collective action.”
The book, which follows the journey of Itohan, a young Nigerian girl trapped in modern slavery, mirrors the experiences of many victims. Oriaku announced that proceeds from the novel would support the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF), founded by Mrs Titi Abubakar.
Reviewing the work, Dr Ike Neliaku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), described it as “a masterpiece of conscience and courage.”
“This book is not just fiction; it is art in the service of humanity,” Neliaku said, commending its vivid imagery and moral depth.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed, weighed in on the issue of human trafficking during the book presentation, describing it as one of the most dangerous transnational crimes globally, placing it on par with drug and arms trafficking.
He stated that human trafficking “has eroded our social fabric and robbed some of our people of their dignity and future,” and stressed that the NIA continues to provide intelligence and operational support to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
The event, attended by lawmakers, diplomats, and human rights advocates, was described as a wake-up call to the national conscience.
Vicious Red Circle, published by Harmony Publishing, is available nationwide, with proceeds supporting WOTCLEF’s anti-trafficking initiatives across Nigeria.
