NAPTIP Bayelsa Campaign Team Storms Genesis Street, Okaka, Sensitises Residents on Human Trafficking
The Campaign Team of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Bayelsa State Command, on Tuesday took its anti-human trafficking advocacy to the popular Genesis Street, Okaka, as part of sustained efforts to curb human trafficking, child abuse and gender-based violence in the state.
The sensitisation exercise, organised under the agency’s public enlightenment drive, was aimed at educating residents on the dangers of human trafficking and related offences, while encouraging members of the public to remain vigilant and proactive in reporting suspicious activities.
The team was led by the Acting State Commander of NAPTIP, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Fadewara Timiebiowei, and was ably represented at the outreach by the Head of the Public Enlightenment Unit, Mr. Wariebi Sambo. Addressing traders, residents and passers-by along the busy street, Mr. Sambo described human trafficking as a grave crime against humanity, noting that traffickers often operate under the guise of offering help, employment or better opportunities, only to subject their victims to exploitation and abuse.
He warned members of the public, particularly youths and parents, to be cautious of unsolicited offers and false promises, stressing that many victims are lured through deception. Mr. Sambo urged residents to promptly report all suspected cases of human trafficking, child abuse and gender-based violence to NAPTIP by visiting the Bayelsa State Command office or calling any of the agency’s designated telephone lines.
According to him, timely information from the public remains critical to the agency’s success in rescuing victims and bringing perpetrators to justice.
The high point of the campaign was the distribution of NAPTIP’s Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, as well as the sharing of the agency’s official mobile contact numbers to enable easy access and reporting by the public.
The sensitisation campaign attracted positive responses from residents of Genesis Street, Okaka, many of whom commended NAPTIP for taking the awareness campaign directly to the grassroots. The outreach forms part of the agency’s ongoing commitment to raising public awareness and strengthening community participation in the fight against human trafficking and other related crimes.
