The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons Zonal Command in Akwa Ibom State has applauded the collaborative efforts of stakeholders in the state in the fight against human trafficking.
Eme Ukpabio, the agency’s Head of Public Enlightenment in the state, issued a statement in Uyo on Monday, commending Governor Umo Eno for establishing the Anti-trafficking Task Force through the Office of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, as well as the recent creation of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
Ukpabio stated, “NAPTIP Uyo Command makes bold to say with all sense of responsibility that it has enjoyed unparalleled collaboration and support from the state government in the area of tackling the issues of human trafficking.
“His Excellency-led administration has proved to be most responsive in addressing critical issues that affect the citizens like human trafficking. This is demonstrated through the setting up of necessary structures and institutions in the state.
“Worthy of note is the strategic support of the state government for the activities of the state’s Anti-human Trafficking Task Force through the Office of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and the recent creation of the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry. It is believed that this rewarding mutual relationship shall continue in 2025.”
Addressing concerns raised by her earlier remarks on organ harvesting, Ukpabio clarified that her comments were aimed at drawing attention to the evolving dynamics of human trafficking across Nigeria, including Akwa Ibom. She emphasized that the agency did not directly accuse any clinic or hospital in the state of involvement in organ harvesting.
During a media briefing to mark the 2025 National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Uyo, a report credited to Ukpabio had suggested the arrest of one person linked to organ harvesting and mentioned the potential involvement of clinics and hospitals in such activities.
Setting the record straight, Ukpabio explained, “I therefore want to put the record straight: That my statement on the organ harvesting syndicate was intended to draw the attention of stakeholders to the dynamism and evolving nature of human trafficking in all the states in Nigeria and globally especially.
“That the statement was to highlight the need for collective efforts of all stakeholders, including sister law-enforcement agencies, CSOs, development partners, and state and non-state actors, among others, and that NAPTIP never accused any entity within the state of organ harvesting.
“That my statement translated to the fact that there is possible suspicion of organ harvesting in the state as it is in other states in Nigeria.”
Ukpabio also addressed the statistics she shared during the media interaction, clarifying that the figure of 750,000 to one million trafficked persons annually was drawn from the June 2023 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
She explained, “I also want to put the records straight that the statistics or data that 750,000 to one million people trafficked yearly from Nigeria, which Akwa Ibom State is part of, was drawn from UNODCS Google report of June 2023; and I added that Akwa Ibom State is one of the Nigerian states that is endemic,” she stated.
