Rivers Community Joins in Campaign Against Human Trafficking in Bayelsa

The Federated Union of Rivers Indigenes in Bayelsa State, FURIBS otherwise called Rivers Community joins in the campaign against human trafficking in Bayelsa state.

The Rivers Community joined in the campaign when members of the union led by its president, Chief Barisuka Prince Beteh paid a courtesy visit on Abieyuwa Ikhidero, State Commander of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Bayelsa Command at her office in Yenagoa.

According to Chief Beteh, FURIBS is the umbrella body of Rivers people residing and doing business in Bayelsa state and the union major objective is to advance the welfare of its members.

The Rivers Community leader said they are seeking for partnership to work closer with NAPTIP to end all forms of violence against women and children.

In his words, ‘we are here in your office today, to seek for partnership and inclusiveness in the activities of the agency for the betterment of our members.

‘We want our women to know their right and get involved in the advocacy against violence. We thought of the right channel to use and which is your office’, Chief Beteh explained.

In her response, Abieyuwa Ikhidero, state commander of NAPTIP said her agency is ready to work with credible associations like the Rivers Community adding that she welcomes the partnership from the Union with an open hands.

Ikhidero explained that the agency alone cannot carry out its functions and always seek the support of others saying that the agency will collaborate with the union through the provision of training, and sensitization its members to intersect traffickers and refer cases to the agency.

She highlighted the mandate of NAPTIP which includes prevention, protection, prosecution, policy and partnership.