A Non-Governmental Organization, DEVATOP Centre for African Development in collaboration with PALLADIUM and the United States Agency International Development, (USAID), Friday, July 28,2023, took the campaign against human trafficking and Organ harvesting to Enugu metropolis,with a call on the security agents to intensify fight against kidnapping and trafficking in persons.
The call was made by the Chairman of Kenyatta Market, Association, Enugu, Hon Chinwuba Igwesi , when the DEVATOP, USAID PALLADIUM Community led by the Zonal Coordinator of “TALKAM”, Ozo Kingsley, paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Kenyatta Market.
Pix- Igwesi
Igwesi frowned at the rate at which cases of human trafficking, kidnapping, organ harvesting and banditry were rising in Nigeria. He said that ,it’s not something one will ignore .
The Chairman wondered why some people had taken to kidnapping and trafficking, adding that Nigeria was not known for that in the past.
“I don’t know why when you sent someone to school or somewhere, you will not rest until the person comes back”, he said.
Igwesi prayed for God’s intervention, saying,” I just pray that God will help us”.
He said that both security agents and parents had roles to.play inorder to stop the ugly trend.
“The security agents have a role to play. They should intensify efforts in the fight against kidnapping, organ harvesting and banditry”, Igwesi said.
He advised parents and guardians to keep their children together, always pray for them and keep them busy .
“Going outside, playing anyhow, does not help now .I want to advise every parents, don’t live with your two eyes closed”, he said.
Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator, DEVATOP (TALKAM ), Ozo Kingsley informed the chairman that DEVATOP and it’s patners had taken the campaign against human trafficking and Organ harvesting to some communities in Enugu State, the latest being, Nkanu, Obeleagu Umuna and Enugu metropolis.
He added that they had joined their patners for a road walk in the morning as part of the activities put in place to mark this year’s international Human Trafficking Day, coming up on Sunday,July 30,2023.
Ozo lamented that the issues of trafficking in persons , organ harvesting , kidnapping and banditry were rampant in the country and must be stamped out.
He told the chairman that the aim of the rally was to sensitise members of the public ,especially traders on the dangers of human trafficking and organ harvesting.
He advised parents and guardians to stop giving out their children to people who used them for child labour or organ harvesting, noting that most times ,people were trafficked in the name of rendering help to their families.
Speaking to the traders, Ozo lamented the increasing rate of trafficking in persons , organ harvesting , kidnapping and banditry He told them that the crimes could cause injuries or death and should be stamped out of the country .
The Zonal Coordinator advised them not to be silient when they see any case of human trafficking.
Ozo told them that they have a referral Centre where victims of human trafficking receive care and counselling. He urged them to report cases of human trafficking and organ harvesting around them to appropriate authorities for necessary actions.
The Campaigners displayed placards with the following inscriptions:
“No more silience on human trafficking,, if you see human trafficking, Talkam”.
“Don’t keep silient on human trafficking”.
“Abeg! no dey ignore human trafficking if you see am , Talkam.”
“Human trafficking violates human rights
“If you see am, Talkam.”
The traders thanked DEVATOP for the sensitisation. They promised to put the knowledge they acquired into practice.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama