Anambra Youths Now Professional Baby Factories, Selling Newborns, Says NAPTIP

The Anambra State Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Ibadin Judith-Chukwu, has raised concerns over the escalating human trafficking crisis within the state.

Judith-Chukwu expressed the alarm over a troubling phenomenon in the region, where young individuals are consensually cohabitating with the sole intention of producing infants for commercial purposes.

During an interview with journalists at her office in Awka on Saturday, she stated that NAPTIP, tasked with combating this issue, has made commendable strides by forming state task forces dedicated to curbing human trafficking, particularly in rural areas where it is most rampant.

“We have encountered scenarios where a young woman becomes pregnant, only for a marriage proposal to be unexpectedly presented.

“Once she delivers, often without her awareness or approval, the man takes the child and sells it,” she explained.

Judith-Chukwu lamented that the sale of infants is more widespread in rural communities and stressed the urgent need for comprehensive public awareness campaigns, especially targeting residents in isolated locales.

“I can affirm that NAPTIP has achieved a reasonable degree of success by establishing state task forces.

These task forces are addressing crimes unique to each state, with a focus on human trafficking-related offenses.

The task force in Anambra State is actively operational and being fortified to tackle the situation.

Since its inception in 2020, the Anambra State Task Force on Human Trafficking has launched various initiatives, including public awareness campaigns, to educate the populace about the evolving trends and methods of human trafficking,” she elaborated.

The NAPTIP Commander further elaborated that both the agency and the task force are committed to enlightening the public about the deceitful strategies employed by traffickers.

She urged traditional leaders, religious figures, and other influential personalities to unite against what she termed as “organized crime.”

“We are collaborating with key stakeholders such as fellow law enforcement agencies, religious organizations, and community groups to ensure the message permeates every corner of the state.

“We anticipate the August meeting, which offers a significant platform for rigorous sensitization,” Judith-Chukwu concluded.