Human trafficking is a sad reality destroying societies, especially in Nigeria, where thousands fall victim to the cruel and exploitative hands of traffickers due to poor economic and security systems. It is about time we rise up and fight human trafficking head-on.
We need a multi-stakeholder approach to solve this problem. Government agencies, civil society, traditional rulers, and everyone must be involved in the fight against trafficking.
The following ways can help us fight human trafficking:
- Strengthen Awareness Campaigns
Ignorance is a major contributor to trafficking. Most of those trafficked are uneducated, poor, and not duly informed. Many victims are lured into trafficking through false promises of better opportunities. Raising awareness about the dangers of trafficking and educating Nigerians will be instrumental in stopping this crisis.
Community outreach programs should be organized in rural communities. Parents should be advised against giving out their children to relatives and rich people in the cities without background checks, as this may result in their children being trafficked.
School campaigns will be a good way to tackle this menace. Agencies of government should take the fight to primary and secondary schools, teaching children about the dangers of trafficking and enlightening them to make the right decisions.
Television stations, radio stations, and social media personalities, just like Nigeria Magazine is doing, should join the fight of educating Nigerians to win the war against trafficking.
- Promote Economic Independence
Skills acquisition programs should be sponsored by NGOs and public-spirited individuals to promote economic independence, as people with economic independence will rarely fall victim to trafficking.
Free education should be promoted for all school-age children, at least to secondary school level.
Women in rural areas should be supported, taught skills, and empowered through small-scale business grants to achieve economic prosperity.
- Train and Equip Security Personnel
We should encourage the training and equipping of police and immigration officials to identify and stop trafficking activities at the borders. - Enforce Strict Punishments for Traffickers
Traffickers should be punished and shamed to serve as a deterrent to others. Prosecution of trafficking cases will provide justice for victims and send a strong warning to those who may want to engage in such evil acts. - Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Victims
Victims of trafficking should be properly rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.
Trafficking robs us of human dignity and respect. It is a crime against nature itself and must be stopped by all legal means.
Ubong Usoro
