A non-governmental organisation, Anti-Kidnapping, Human Trafficking, Child Abuse, and Drug Abuse Initiative, has inaugurated a nationwide awareness campaign against kidnapping, human trafficking and organ harvesting.

The Founder of the organisation, Belonwu Ezeanyaeche, made this known on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Ezeanyaeche said that the campaign which included illicit substances abuse and illicit drug trafficking was part of efforts to support the Federal Government in addressing rising cases of insecurity in Nigeria.

He said that there was a need for stakeholders to join hands with AKH- TRACADA in enlightenment of citizenry on alarming state of insecurity across the country.

The primate also said that trafficking of human organs for transplantation, known as organ harvesting and forceful abductions of people, had become an increasing global concern.

He added that issues relating to youths’ restiveness, crimes and criminality were critical for the development and growth of the country.

Mr Ezeanyaeche also added that the organisation observed that the majority of perpetrators of kidnapping and human trafficking were  youths.

“We are witnesses to the rising rate of this trend in the country. This is why our organisation decided to embark on a sensitisation programme of parents, youths and children on risk of this illegal organ trade through rural and urban awareness programmes.

“We believe that these criminal acts are also traceable to the use of illicit substances of various categories, thereby, making such disheartening issues a recurring decimal. All crimes are usually perpetrated under the influence of illicit substances and drug abuse, and it is difficult to find a sane human being guilty of such offences.

Increasing public awareness about the risks and signs of these acts is an important piece of any anti-trafficking strategy. Effective public awareness and outreach efforts can lead to the detection of such acts, build public support for governments and communities to act, and ultimately help prevent organ trafficking,“ he said.

The NGO boss said that the campaign against such criminal acts provided an important foundation for individuals, first responders, law enforcement, service providers, educators, businesses and others.

He said this would be to identify the indicators of such crimes and learn how to appropriately respond.

Mr Ezeanyaeche added that AKH-TRACADA intended to play a vital role through its sensitisation and awareness programme.

He said, “The group has been a force against trafficking over the years and will not relent until the fight against organ harvesting and trafficking in Nigeria is achieved and offenders are brought to book. The organisation tends to carry out nationwide sensitisation and awareness programmes in the 36 states and the FCT. 

“The programme which will last for three months has started in the heart of the nation, which is the FCT. We have successfully visited three schools which are Local Education Authority primary school, Runji Dakwa, Bwari, FCT Abuja, Government Secondary School, Dawaki, Suleja, Niger and Mararaba Bus stop and okada riders stand in Nasarawa State respectively.’’

Mr Ezeanyaeche said that the visits were basically to sensitise the students, teachers and youths among others before spreading it to other states in Nigeria.

He said he would not stop until everyone knew the dangers of human trafficking and organ harvesting.

Mr Ezeanyanche said that Nigeria was vast with over 200 million people, adding that there was also a need to work effectively with government and other non-government actors.

He said this would help in sensitising communities, youth leaders, traditional leaders, educational institutions, and the media to spread the message “that human trafficking and organ harvesting does exist, and they should always be against it.”

The primate advised parents to be vigilant and watch out for any kind of abnormality in their children or ward’s behaviour as early detection could help save them from possible insanity or criminality.

He however, called on the government at all levels to reinforce institutions for prevention and sensitisation.

“The government of Nigeria is really doing well, no doubt. At least NAPTIP and NDLEA are doing a wonderful job in receiving and also guiding in preventing human trafficking, illicit drug trafficking and abuse. Awareness, outreach and sensitisation programmes are some of the most important aspects in fighting these criminal acts in Nigeria.

“We call on the Federal Government and other spirited individuals to support this project in terms of funds and logistics,” he said.

Mr Ezeanyaeche called on the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to join it in fighting thes illicit trading of harvesting organs in the country and save the youths from the agents through the awareness and sensitisation programme,

(NAN)