By Nkechinyere Ewa-Okpara, Abakaliki
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ebonyi State Chapter, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, joined other agencies and civil society organisations under the umbrella of the Ebonyi State Anti-Human Trafficking Stakeholders to commemorate the 2025 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
The sensitisation campaign, which was held at Ahia Ohuru, a major market and motor park in the Abakaliki metropolis, drew participation from critical stakeholders committed to ending human trafficking in the state and beyond.
Key participants included the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Civil Society Organisation Network on Migration and Development (CSOnetMED), the Ebonyi State Gender-Based Violence Taskforce, Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), the Nigeria Conference of Women Religious Against Human Trafficking, Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN), and Gracefield Development Initiative of Nigeria (GDIN), among others.
Representing NAWOJ Ebonyi, Susan Nwannediuto, information officer, Ministry of Skills Development and Job Creation in the state, called for rehabilitation programmes and sustainable reintegration support for trafficking survivors, urging government at all levels to prioritise victim care.
“As the voice of Nigerian women in the media, NAWOJ holds the power to break the silence around human trafficking, protect the vulnerable, and push for a society where every girl can live free and safe,” She said, pledging the association’s continued commitment to advocacy and storytelling that empowers victims and educates the public.
Spokespersons from the various partner organisations took turns to highlight the devastating impact of human trafficking on victims, ranging from emotional and psychological trauma to child labour, sexual abuse, health complications, and even death. They educated the crowd on the deceptive strategies traffickers use, including false job promises, fake marriage offers, and financial inducements.
CSOnetMED State Coordinator, Goodness Mgbaja, described human trafficking as a sophisticated and evolving organised crime, lamenting that its prevalence in Ebonyi State remains underreported. She identified poverty, ignorance, and insecurity as the major drivers, while advocating for sustainable social protection and economic policies to tackle root causes.
“Where there are signs of communal crises, the government should act swiftly. Vulnerability increases in such environments, and traffickers exploit those cracks,” Mgbaja warned.
On her part, Lorieth Nwafor, NACTAL State Coordinator, emphasised the urgent need for vigilance at the grassroots level, stating that many forms of trafficking often go unnoticed in rural communities. She called on parents and community leaders to take ownership of prevention strategies.
Speaking on this year’s theme: “Human Trafficking is Organised Crime- End the Exploitation,” Nwafor described it as timely and apt. “Human trafficking is a crime against God and humanity. We need a committed, multi-sectoral approach to eradicate it,” she added.
The State Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs. Anne Nwabugwu, assured the public of the agency’s unwavering commitment, noting that NAPTIP is constantly reviewing and updating its strategies to respond to the dynamic nature of trafficking operations in the state.
Representatives from religious bodies, including Reverend Sister Georgina Pemi of PACTPAN and Sister Susan Ezeh of the Nigeria Conference of Women Religious Against Human Trafficking, reaffirmed their dedication to grassroots awareness campaigns in churches, schools, markets, and community gatherings.
Sister Ezeh stressed that ignorance remains a major enabler of trafficking and urged continued education at all levels. Sister Pemi, a nun with the Trinitarian Missionary of Merciful Love Congregation, added that her organisation grooms children as anti-trafficking advocates, helping to build a long-term resistance culture.
“We are here today to tell Ebonyi people: enough is enough. We say no to human trafficking, no to slavery, no to domestic servitude. Ebonyi is no longer a hunting ground for traffickers,” she declared.