The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raised fresh concerns over growing incidence of human trafficking in Imo State.
The Commander of NAPTIP in Imo State, Mr Toochukwu Ezejiegu, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists, said the agency is worried that the state has become a major source of trafficking, with illegal orphanages and baby factories among the most prevalent forms of the crime.
He described the situation as one of the agency’s biggest challenges since he assumed office.
According to him, investigations and field operations have shown that child trafficking through baby factories remains widespread, while other forms of trafficking, including the exploitation of women for prostitution and deceptive foreign travel schemes, are also thriving.
“It has not been rosy this year. Since I came in, I met a lot of challenges on the ground. I found that human trafficking, especially orphanage trafficking, which are baby factories, is on the high side.
“Apart from that, other forms of human trafficking, including feeding on the prostitution of another person, are also there,” he said.
Ezejiegu explained that Imo is predominantly a source state where victims are recruited before being moved to destinations within and outside Nigeria.
“When it comes to orphanage trafficking, this place is not a transit point. It is where it originates before the victims are moved to various destinations.
“In other aspects of human trafficking, Imo State is also a source rather than a final destination,” he stated.
The NAPTIP Commander, however, noted that his office has intensified efforts to combat the menace despite operational constraints.
He disclosed that discussions with the Imo State Government have yielded positive results, particularly on plans to establish a state task force against human trafficking.
According to him, the Commissioner for Justice has expressed readiness to co-chair the proposed task force alongside NAPTIP, paving the way for stronger collaboration among government agencies and stakeholders.
While commending the support received from the Ministries of Women Affairs and Education, as well as other security agencies, the commander appealed for greater government assistance, stressing that the agency remains underfunded and lacks basic operational tools.
He said the command currently depends on operational vehicles belonging to sister security agencies to carry out rescue and enforcement operations, a situation he described as inadequate for responding swiftly to trafficking cases.
“We need operational vehicles, better office accommodation and more funding. The Federal Government is trying, but it is not sufficient.
“Since we are protecting the people of Imo State, especially children who are victims of trafficking, the state government should help bridge the gaps,” he appealed.
Awareness still poor
Ezejiegu also identified poor public awareness as a major factor fueling the crime, noting that many parents unknowingly expose their children to traffickers through ignorance and deceptive promises.
He said the command has commenced aggressive sensitisation campaigns across communities to educate residents on the tactics used by traffickers and discourage participation in illegal adoption, baby factory operations and other forms of exploitation.
The Commander expressed optimism that with stronger collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations and community leaders, the state would significantly reduce the incidence of human trafficking and better protect vulnerable persons from exploitation.
