The Anambra State Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Ibadin Judith-Chukwu, has sounded the alarm over a disturbing rise in human trafficking activities across the state, describing the situation as increasingly worrisome.

Speaking to journalists in her Awka office on Saturday, Judith-Chukwu revealed a troubling trend where young people in the state are now entering consensual cohabitation arrangements solely to produce babies for sale.

“In some cases, a girl becomes pregnant, and a man suddenly proposes marriage. But after she delivers, often without her knowledge or consent, he disappears with the baby and sells it,” she disclosed.

The NAPTIP commander noted that such practices are more rampant in rural communities, stressing the urgent need for comprehensive public awareness, especially in remote areas where trafficking thrives.

She explained that NAPTIP has made notable progress in tackling human trafficking by establishing task forces across various states, including Anambra, with a specific focus on crimes prevalent in local communities.

“NAPTIP has done reasonably well through the creation of state task forces, which focus on addressing the unique trafficking issues in each state,” she said.

According to her, the Anambra State Task Force on Human Trafficking, which was set up in 2020, has been actively involved in public sensitisation campaigns aimed at educating residents on the evolving tactics of traffickers.

Judith-Chukwu called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other community influencers to join hands in the battle against what she described as an “organised crime.”

She further emphasized the agency’s collaboration with law enforcement agencies, faith-based groups, and grassroots organisations to ensure that anti-trafficking messages reach all corners of the state.

“As we approach the August meeting, we see a great opportunity to intensify sensitisation efforts and drive the message home,” she concluded.