Group solicits journalists’ support to combat human trafficking

By Alex Enebeli

Devatop Centre for Africa Development (DCAD) on Friday, trained journalists in Enugu on Human Trafficking reportage aimed at reducing trafficking issues in Nigeria.

The group also inaugurated the trained journalists as coordinators and reporters against trafficking in persons.

The 2-day Capacity Building Training for Journalists, tagged: “TALKAM Against Trafficking in Persons (TATIP) Project in Enugu” held at Psalms Hotel, Independence Layout Enugu, had many journalists from different media organisations in attendance.

The Programme Manager, DCAD, Mr Emmanuel Obiabo said the training was part of Talkam project tailored toward supporting victims of trafficking.

He said it was also to raise awareness on the issue within communities.

He said the organisation understood the important roles journalists play in identifying trafficking in the communities and reporting same.

“We also understand the essence of handling the issue ethically and ensuring the victims are supported, so that the journalists can appreciate it better,” he said.

Obiabo said that the same training had been done in Sokoto and Delta states to raise more awareness on the incidences of human trafficking.

According to him, the programme carried out under Palladium- a leading implementer of international development programmes, is being funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented in Nigeria by DCAD.

“We want a sustained action by journalists in reporting and investigating human trafficking as much as trafficking continues to exist in Nigeria.

“We want those traffickers to be exposed as well as help victims get necessary support through their reports.

“The trained journalists, who are now coordinators/journalists for ‘Trafficking in Persons’ in Enugu State would be provided with technical support for their quarterly forum,” he said.

Earlier, the Zonal Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Enugu, Mrs Nneka Ajie, said trafficking in persons had become a cankerworm that had eaten deep into the nation.

He described trafficking as a “modern day slavery and multi dimensional”, regretting that there was not enough awareness on it.

According to him, reporting it daily will reduce the menace in the country.

Ajie identified various forms of human trafficking to include forced labour, begging, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, removal of organs, child labour, sale of children and prostitution.

She said the training would reawaken people’s consciousness in eradicating the menace.

She attributed human trafficking to poverty, ignorance, lack of opportunities, adding that many victims of trafficking were not aware they were being trafficked.

One of the trainees and Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ), Enugu Chapter, Mrs Ngozi Ngene described the training as a welcome development as she had gained more knowledge on the issue.

She promised to take the campaign against human trafficking to the grassroots for the women and children to know when they were being trafficked.

(NAN)