Date: 30 July, 2026
By Jane Daniel
ENUGU – The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has warned Nigerians against irregular migration, saying it remains a major driver of human trafficking, forced labour, sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse.
The South-East Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Prince Jonathan Ukpai, gave the warning on Thursday in Enugu during activities marking the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
He said the agency’s awareness campaign was designed to educate the public on the dangers of illegal migration and human trafficking, stressing that the campaign was not intended to discourage international travel but to encourage Nigerians to migrate through legal and recognised channels.
According to him, poverty, desperation, ignorance and the false promises of traffickers have continued to lure many Nigerians into dangerous migration routes, making sustained public sensitization imperative.
Also speaking, the Project Officer of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) in Enugu State, Christian Iloma, said the fight against human trafficking requires more than annual awareness campaigns.
He noted that while sensitization remains important, lasting behavioural change and increased public vigilance are essential to curbing the menace.
Iloma urged members of the public to report suspected trafficking cases to NAPTIP and other relevant security agencies, stressing that prompt reporting could prevent victims from falling into the hands of traffickers.
The Enugu State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Osinachi Nnajieze, who is also the Chairman of the State Task Force on Human Trafficking, was represented at the event by the Secretary of the task force, Mrs. Caroline Avah.
She said the state’s anti-human trafficking campaign is anchored on five strategic pillars namely prevention, policy, protection, prosecution and partnership—which continue to guide efforts to combat the crime.
Avah expressed concern over the increasing use of deceptive promises to lure children and young persons away from their families, particularly during school holidays.
She urged parents and guardians to be wary of individuals offering to take their children to cities or overseas under the guise of providing better education or improved welfare, warning that many such promises end in exploitation and abuse.
Stakeholders at the event stressed that winning the fight against human trafficking requires stronger collaboration among government agencies, security organisations, civil society groups, the media, communities and families.
The 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons campaign in Enugu was supported by the security agencies, Non Governmental Organizations, among others.
The theme of this year’s event, “Trapped Behind the Scam,” highlights the growing trend of human trafficking for forced online scam operations, where victims are lured with fake job offers, taken to other countries and coerced into carrying out online fraud and financial scams for organised criminal groups.
