NATIONAL Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), have cautioned secondary school students in Edo against deceptive tactics of human traffickers.
The organisations gave the warning at the unveiling of Anti-human Trafficking Vanguard clubs at Oredo Girls Secondary School and Emotan College on Wednesday in Benin.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative is a major step in the ongoing School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP) of the ICMPD in the state.
In his address, Mr Sam Offiah, Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, described human trafficking as a gross violation of human rights, urging the students to become peer advocates and watchdogs against exploitation.
“Trafficking de-humanises you. Someone takes you, commercialises you, and uses you like a product.
“These traffickers are not your friends. They will disguise as helpers, but they are predators,” Offiah said.
According to him, traffickers now exploit social media platforms to lure unsuspecting youth.
The NAPTIP boss recounted tales of young Nigerians who died while attempting to cross the Sahara Desert to Libya on their way to Europe.
“Many drank their own urine; many were eaten by vultures. That is not a path you should ever take,” he cautioned.
Also speaking, Junior Project Officer of STEAP for ICMPD in Edo, , Ms Daniella Ige, emphasised the rationale behind targeting schools.
“Most victims of trafficking today are between the ages of 13 and 19. Many are recruited from schools. That is why we are here; to intercept that recruitment pipeline with education,” she said.
Ige explained that the project was supported by the Government of Netherlands, in five state including Edo state.
“The aim is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to resist and report trafficking attempts,’’ she said.
According to her, the vanguard clubs will empower selected students to lead awareness campaigns among their peers and in their communities.
Earlier, the President of the Vanguard Club at Oredo Girls Secondary School, Excellence Osamuyimen, sought an end to trafficking, especially of young girls.
“We understand the hard options people face, and we appreciate the trust placed in institutions like NAPTIP.
“Human trafficking is an insidious crime that casts a long shadow over our communities,” she said.
“It steals away dreams and futures, especially of the girl child who is more vulnerable and easily manipulated,” she said.
Osamuyimen, lauded the initiators for selecting the school, assuring that the students would unite to fight the human trafficking.
