By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

No fewer than 41 victims of human trafficking have been arrested by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Anambra State.

This was disclosed by the Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the agency in the state, Mr Anthony Okafor.

He also revealed that 18 suspected traffickers in the state were arrested in 2023.

Speaking with journalists in Awka on Friday, Okafor said that a total of twenty five human trafficking cases were reported to the agency in the year under review.

According to him, out of 25 cases, seven were being prosecuted, while 17 others are still under investigation.

While noting that no conviction of suspects under trial was secured in the past year, 2023, he urged the citizens to promptly report suspicious activities to NAPTIP, even as he assured that the agency will do the needful to establish authenticity or otherwise of the suspicion.

Okafor added: “What we expect from the citizenry is a prompt reporting of cases when they happen in line the slogan that says when you see something, you say something”.

“We encourage the public to always report cases of human trafficking to NAPTIP and such cases will be handled professionally while the offenders are diligently prosecuted”.

He further appreciated the support and assistance from the State government and called for sustenance to boost the fight against human trafficking in the area, saying,

“We cannot do it alone. But with government cooperation and support, cases of human trafficking will be reduced to the barest minimum in the state.”