Experts train journalists, call for intensive campaign against Trafficking in Persons

Statistics from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Human Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, reveals that about one million individuals are trafficked annually in the country.

This high rate of Trafficking in Persons, TIP, spurr stakeholders in the sector to intensify campaigns against the menace so as to reduce it to its barest minimum.

One of the approaches taken by Action Against Trafficking in Persons Cluster is the organisation of a three-day training for journalists who report human trafficking and irregular migration issues.

The training which was facilitated by the Justice Development and Peace Commission, JDPC, is aimed at equipping journalists with the right skills in reporting on the subject matter.

Mr Nasiru Muazu Isah, a resource person at the meeting charged journalists to stick to the ethics of the profession in their reportage.

He also stressed the need for investigative reporting, urging media professionals to go extra miles to uncover the heinous crime.

In his interactive class session, Mr Isah exposed to journalists how to detect fake news. He further advised them to by all means avoid the spread of fake news as it can trigger crisis in a peace loving society.

Mr Muazu Isah, who is a former staff of the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, further advocated the use of social media, stressing that it is a powerful platform for the campaign against irregular migration and Trafficking in Persons issues.

The facilitator who emphasised that no one is completely immune from human trafficking urged individuals to be sensitive and report suspected cases to the appropriate authorities.

The Executive Director Justice Development and Peace Commission, JDPC, Rev. Fr. Solomon Uko charged journalists to make use of the knowledge they gathered at the training to report effectively about human trafficking issues.

“Our expectation is that the knowledge we got from here will be escalated to the entire world on the dehumanising effect of human trafficking, and the fact that human beings must be who they are, and must not be traded like commodities.

“People should say something when they see something that is unwholesome or degrading in any form to the point of being trafficked.

“Journalists should escalate the knowledge obtained from here, and help others know the effect of human trafficking in our society,” he said.

Also the JDPC’s Director of Programmes, Timothy Ejeh stated that more funding is required to enable NAPTIP perform their duties effectively.

On her part, the representative from NAPTIP, Mrs Nnoli Cynthia outlined some forms of Trafficking in Persons namely; Forced labour, for criminal activities, exploitation of women sexually, harvest of human organs, people smuggling among others.

She also noted that the agency’s platform is active at all times to report suspected cases. She however assured that the identity of the informant will be concealed.

“There is a call centre that works around the clock and the NAPTIP response squad. Call the NAPTIP hotline 07030000203 (toll free). The I report number *627#.

“The agency also has various platforms via which to report. NAPTIP is present on all the social media platforms, (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) You can access the right information on the website www.naptip.gov.ng and send mails to info@naptip.gov.ng”, she noted.

The 3 day training had the support of United States Agency International Development, USAID and Strengthening Civil Advocacy and Local Engagement, SCALE, Palladium.