The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Cross River State Command in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy says it has rescued thirteen trafficked persons from the high seas.
The Head Of Operations, NAPTIP, Cross River State Command, Mr. Jacob Oba, who stated this in Calabar, said the thirteen persons were all male with their ages ranging from thirteen to twenty-seven years.
Trafficking in persons refers to the coercion , deception, recruitment, transportation and harboring of persons, especially by means of threat, abduction, and fraud for the purpose of exploitation ,financial or personal gain.
Therefore, Human trafficking poses significant risks, such as physical and emotional abuse, Forced labor or exploitation,loss of autonomy and freedom, Psychological trauma, Social isolation, poor health outcomes , among others.
As part of the measures to eradicate this menace of trafficking in Persons, the Head Of Operations, NAPTIP, said the Agency collaborated with the Nigerian Navy to rescue 13 victims from a ship where they were being exploited for labour under harsh conditions.
“We have to care for them and protect them, not exposing them to this kind of danger where they exploit children that are supposed to be useful to society and themselves.”
While giving the assurance that the agency would ensure that the rescued victims reunite with their families, Mr Oba urged parents to be vigilant and desist from exposing their wards to social vices.
“We take their statement and try to profile them to know exactly where each of them comes from and we think of how we can reach out to their people for unification, he said.”
In a sad account, one of the victims, a 13-year-old who left home on February 28, this year, and was taken to an unknown location to serve his master, alleged that when he realized where he was and wanted to go back home, he was threatened with death if he ever tried to leave.
“”A woman brought me to this waterside, I didn’t know this place before. She handed me over to her husband, who took me to do some work on the water. When I asked her husband to let me go, he said if I leave, he’ll use juju to kill me and my family.”
Two other rescued victims recounted how they were lured by promises of greener pastures, only to face unexpected hardship like exposure to militants on the high seas, malnutrition, and hard labour, among others.
“I had a job in the village, but it wasn’t paying. I met this guy on the road, and I told him I’d follow him to make some money. The place he took me to was full of militants,” one of the victims stated.
“In the mornings, they’d sometimes give us garri, and occasionally give us money to buy rice. There was no hospital; they’d just take you to a chemist when needed,” the other victim explained.
The victims advised children and youths to appreciate what they have and resist false promises of a better life, which can lead to exploitation and slavery.
