The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Bayelsa has pledged to end human trafficking the state.

The NAPTIP Commander in Bayelsa, Mrs Abieyuwa Ikhidero, made the pledge on Friday in Yenagoa after a road walk to commemorate the 2023 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

The day is marked annually on July 30 to raise awareness on the ills of trafficking in persons.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind.”

Ikhidero said it would no longer be business as usual for human traffickers in Bayelsa and Nigeria at large.

She called on the Bayelsa government to join hands with NAPTIP to fight human trafficking at the local governments to ensure zero-tolerance for human trafficking in the state.

Ikhidero urged young people and those molested in one form or the other to speak out, not to die in silence.

The Commander warned those indulging in such acts to desist from it as the agency would surely go after them if they continued with trafficking.

She urged parents not to send their children for hawking, adding that parents should be watchful in taking care of them.

Ikhidero commended partners against human trafficking at the road walk, and urged them to continue with the good job of campaign to drive the scourge out of the country.

In attendance were officials from Women Affairs and Gender Development, Civil Society Organisations, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Nigerian Police Force, amongst others.

A teacher from St. Jude’s Girl Secondary School, Yenagoa, Mrs Katerine Oweila, who commended NAPTIP for the sensitisation, said she would work to change the narrative to ensure that no stone was left unturned.

The road walk which kicked off from Ekeki Motor Park in Yenagoa through Government House, ended at Peace Park.

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