The Enugu State Government has made a clarion call to global stakeholders to unite in a common cause against the persistent scourge of human trafficking and modern-day slavery, describing the phenomenon as one of the most inhumane crimes confronting the world today.

 

This advocacy was made on Friday by the State Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, during a solidarity rally held in Enugu to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

 

Addressing a diverse audience that included government officials, civil society actors, security agencies, students, and community leaders, Mrs. Enih drew attention to the 2025 global theme: “Human Trafficking is Organised Crime – End the Exploitation”, stressing that the time has come for concerted, transnational efforts to dismantle the networks of exploitation that thrive on human misery.

 

“Today, on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we stand in solidarity with victims of human trafficking. This crime steals dignity, freedom, and futures—especially from women and children. As we raise our voices, let’s commit to stronger protection, justice for survivors, and a society where no one is left behind,” she declared.

 

Mrs. Enih condemned trafficking as a form of modern-day slavery that strips victims of their basic rights and dehumanises them for profit.

 

She further stressed that the state government has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of slavery, abuse, and violence that compromise human dignity, and reiterated the government’s resolve to continue working closely with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other partners to bring offenders to justice.

 

The commissioner also extended a rallying call to religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and local communities to intensify awareness and grassroots mobilisation against trafficking networks.

 

According to her, ending human trafficking requires more than institutional action—it demands a unified front by all sectors of society to prevent the recruitment, transportation, and exploitation of vulnerable individuals, especially underage girls and impoverished families.

 

“Every religious community, every palace, every classroom must become a fortress against trafficking. This is a fight for our humanity,” she urged the public.

 

Participants at the rally marched through the streets of Enugu with placards bearing messages like “Stop Human Trafficking Now,” “I Am Not For Sale,” and “Organ Harvesting is Human Trafficking.” The event was both a show of solidarity and a call to action, aiming to awaken collective consciousness and responsibility toward ending this global crime.