The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Person (NAPTIP), on Wednesday sensitised students of Government Day Secondary School Fago, Sandamu LGA of Katsina, on human trafficking dangers.
The awareness campaign which was in collaboration with Save the Children International (SCI), focused on human trafficking, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and deceptive recruitment schemes used by traffickers to exploit vulnerable persons.
Speaking during the programme, the NAPTIP State Commander in Katsina, Mr Musa Aliyu, warned pupils against falling victim to fake job offers and fraudulent promises of opportunities abroad.
Aliyu said such schemes often resulted in exploitation, forced labour, organ harvesting and other criminal activities.
He advised the students to be vigilant and avoid individuals offering lucrative jobs or overseas travel opportunities without proper verification.
The commander explained that traffickers often lure victims with false employment promises before subjecting them to abuse, exploitation and imprisonment in unfamiliar locations.
He said NAPTIP was established to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable persons, adding that public sensitisation was among the agency’s key strategies in preventing the crime.
Aliyu urged pupils to report suspected cases of child abuse, exploitation or trafficking to the police or the nearest NAPTIP office.
He cautioned against ignoring children who are denied education, isolated at home or subjected to abuse, noting that such situations could expose them to exploitation.
The commander further warned that traffickers sometimes disguise their activities by offering to sponsor victims for religious pilgrimages such as Hajj or promising improved living conditions.
He said such promises were often tactics used to lure victims into exploitative situations.
Also speaking, Mr Sani Elkana of Save the Children International, said the campaign was designed to address child exploitation and other social vices affecting children.
Elkana urged pupils, teachers and parents to promptly report suspected cases of child trafficking, abuse or exploitation to relevant authorities for quick intervention.
He encouraged participants to share the knowledge gained with their families and communities to help prevent human trafficking.
The sensitisation was attended by students, teachers and parents as part of efforts to strengthen child protection and awareness against trafficking in the state.
NAN
