Child Trafficking: Ebonyi Clamps Down On Traffickers, Intercepts 52 Teens
The Commander of the Ebonyi State Neighbourhood Watch, Victor Nwenyi, has revealed that the security outfit intercepted over 52 teenagers, mostly boys, being transported out of the state under the guise of working for a food supplement company.
In a chat with journalists in Abakaliki, the commander also raised the alarm over growing cases of teenage trafficking, Internet fraud and misleading job schemes targeting unsuspecting youths across the state.
He noted that investigations revealed that none of the teenagers’ parents were aware of their whereabouts, nor could the handlers provide a valid office address or operational licence, noting that the society is doomed if the ugly incidents were not nipped in the bud.
“What we discovered was disturbing. These young boys and girls were being lured with false promises of becoming millionaires overnight. In reality, they were being trafficked to unknown locations,” he said.
Nwenyi described the operation as a disguised human trafficking network, pointing out that such victims often end up in forced labour, sex work or other forms of exploitation.
Stressing that his command emplaced measures to track down those involved in the acts, Nwenyi urged the public not to patronise individuals selling drugs or food supplements without verified addresses, as legitimate businesses should have shops where complaints and customer concerns could be addressed.
He commended Governor Francis Nwifuru’s commitment to youth empowerment through scholarships and agricultural programmes.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN Newspaper
