By Favour Eribo

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has apprehended no fewer than 115 suspected human traffickers and rescued 75 victims in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers states.

The Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Emmanuel Awhen, revealed this in an interview with journalists in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom Capital.

The Zone comprises Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers states.

Awhen said of the 75 victims rescued, 25 were empowered with skills in tailoring, hairdressing, barbing, and shoe making.

The NAPTIP commander added that during the period, NAPTIP charged 15 cases to court and secured three convictions, while 12 cases are still pending.

He appealed to judges to give special attention to human trafficking cases to serve as a deterrent to other traffickers.

He noted that coastal communities in the zone are endemic areas of human trafficking, advising parents and guardians not to let their family members deceive them and take their children and wards on the pretext of helping to train or secure employment for them.

He said that most often such children or wards end up being used for child labour or prostitution.