The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has cautioned residents of Jigawa State to be vigilant against human traffickers during the Yuletide period.
The Jigawa State Commander of NAPTIP, Mr Abdulkadir Turajo, gave the warning on Tuesday in Dutse while speaking with journalists on the agency’s preparedness ahead of the Christmas festivities.
Turajo said the festive season often witnesses increased travel and social activities, which traffickers exploit to lure unsuspecting victims, particularly young people.
“Traffickers take advantage of the excitement and movement associated with the festive period. They use deceptive job offers, fake travel arrangements and promises of a better life to exploit people,” he said.
He urged residents to exercise caution and report suspicious activities to NAPTIP offices or the nearest security agencies.
“As we enter the festive season, increased travel and excitement also increase the risk of trafficking. People must remain alert, verify offers and protect their loved ones,” Turajo said.
The NAPTIP commander also called on parents, guardians and community leaders to closely monitor children and youths, noting that traffickers deliberately target them during holiday periods.
“Festive seasons provide traffickers with opportunities to deceive victims through false promises of wealth and fake opportunities,” he added.
Turajo stressed that preventing human trafficking requires collective vigilance, warning that the season should not be allowed to turn into a trafficking period.
He further advised residents to be wary of unsolicited job offers and travel proposals, especially those that appear too good to be true.
“Always verify such offers and ensure the safety of your family members,” he said.
Turajo reaffirmed NAPTIP’s commitment to intensifying surveillance and public awareness campaigns to protect residents of Jigawa State from human trafficking during and beyond the festive season.
On Monday, the command vowed to investigate a suspected trafficking case involving six persons who were handed over by the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, in the state.
Turajo said the agency received the six victims from NIS officers at the Babura Plantation Border Patrol Base in Babura Local Government Area of the state.
Leave a comment