BY UCHE CHUKWU
Anambra State joined the international community in marking this year's World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and Illegal Migration, with a warning to the youths to avoid making uninformed trips that may end the person in prisons, as sex hawker or losing his organs. The warning was made by stakeholders during the commemoration of the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and Illegal Migration held in Awka, the State capital, weekend, with the theme: "Trapped Behind the Scam.". The event was organized by the State Government, in collaboration with.International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Network Against Trafficking of Persons, Child Abuse and Labour, CSO Migration and Development Network, Zaram Life Foundation. Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Association of Orphans and Vulnerable Persons The participants carried placards some of which inscriptions read: "Say No To Child Labour and Abuse " "Say No to Human Trafficking " "Trafficking is a Crime," "Shine Your Eyes, Don't Be Scammed," "Child Hawking during School Hours is Denial of Child,'s Right to Education " Flagging off the event, the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs. Mrs Esther Onyekesi addressed adults who thronged Ekwueme Square for the walk-for-life physical exercise to join the campaign against trafficking in persons, illegal migration, child labour and abuse which she said government has resolved to stamp out. , Onyekesi bemoaned the luring if yours intm sex trade as sales girls and travelling fir non-existent jibs at home and abroad, urging members if the public to "Say No" to such trappings or face the consequences. Addressing Tricycle operators at Mgbike Tricycle Terminal, the Permanent Secretary. Ministry of Justice. Nkiru Mokwe Esquire urged to report any suspicious movement linking to job scam or child ln about or exploitation. Mokwe called on the members of the public to dismiss fear and break the culture of silence in order to assist curb the menace, stressing: "We've obligated to see something, say something.". Also speaking, the State Coordinator of Network Against Trafficking of Persons, Child Abuse and Labour, Miss Eucharia Onyemaobi lamented that Anambra State has become the transit hub if trafficking. illegal migration and child labour due to its geographical location and booming economy. . Onyemaobi who is also the geographical location and abundant human, material and economic resources in the State contribute to the prominent position of the State as a flourishing transit hub in matters of human trafficking and child exploitation. Onyemaobi is also the State Coordinator of CSO Migration and Development and Executive Director of Zaram Life Foundation called ion the State government to increase awareness creation in the communities in order to enlighten parents and their children more in the risks associated with travels in search of improved livelihood, education and job opportunities or. better life. She said: "Vulnerability is where trafficking thrives. It takes a community to stop trafficking. That's why my we say: "Informed migration, informed decision. Travel for the right reason. Do things for the right reason.". Contributing, a member of the Body of Bencher, and African Woven Lawyers, Amaka Ezenor hailed the participants for coming out to join the crusade against human trafficking, illegal and child exploitation calling on all hands to get on deck t reduce the Nena cd e. In an address presented at the Solution Bus Terminal, Aroma Junction, the State Chairperson of FIDA, Mrs Amara Muojeke, a lawyer, warned members of the public against running foul of extant federal and State laws criminalising perpetration of acts of trafficking in persons, illegal migration child labour, abuse/exploitation, ritual killing or death association with trafficking and illegal migration. Muojeke who is also the leader of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF) in the State noted that trafficking in hunan persons, illegal migration and child labour, abd abuse are offences which attract fines and terms of imprisonment ranging from 2 to 10 years depending on the nature of the offences. Corroborating her, a Staff member of F FIDA, Chioma Onuoha, a lawyer attributed poverty and suffering in the country as the major factors promoting trafficking in persons, illegal migration child labour and exploitation. Barrister Onuoha called on such domains as communities, schools, media, churches and government to join hands to end the scourge, urging parents and guardians to encourage their children and wards to go to school or undergo a skill acquisition programme for self-reliance, and economic and national development. In his remarks, the Acting Director of Administration , Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. Onyeka Chukwudi and his colleague, Benice Uchendu traced value orientation rather than poverty, and called for responsible parenting. They condemned the idea of parents and guardians condoning the act of luring their children and wards out in the name of traveling to school or secure job, only to find up in sex trade.which earn blood money. Also speaking. the Deputy Commandant of NSCDC, Ebere Nwufoh said the Corps is pro-active in tackling the menace of human trafficking, illegal migration and child exploitation through its Anti-human Trafficking Initiative Unit that handles issues of gender based violence.child abuse, trafficking in persons.domestic violence, .family welfare, disinheritance of widowhood and miscellaneous/advocacy matters. Nwufoh called on commercial drivers to assist and identify suspicious persons around the parks, and facilitate in arrest of child labour or hawking during school hours or boarding commercial vehicles for travels. In his speech, the Head of Anti- Smuggling and Migration, State Immigration Service. Theophilus Muozoba who noted the differences between accompanied and unaccompanied minors in matters of trafficking and illegal migration frowned upon the fact that traffickers don't respect age of minors and called for more stern laws against their activities. He called on the youths who have ambition to travel to Ng e wary of risk of having the organs harvested, listing Oman Kuwait, Dubai, Morocco, Libya, and Burkina Faso as such countries with high red flags to travel. He stressed: "Nobody should have mercy for those who go these countries. We've more deaths recorded in human trafficking and illegal migration than those who die in prisons.". According to him, Immigration Service has adopted travelling mechanism to curb trafficking and illegal migration by ensuring that prospective travelers must provide evidence of return tickets and means of livelihood before they travel. "