Anambra State Youths Involved In Alarming Baby Trafficking Scheme, NAPTIP Reports.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raised serious concerns about a disturbing trend in Anambra State, where young people are reportedly cohabiting with the sole purpose of producing babies for sale. The agency’s state commander, Judith-Chukwu Ibadin, described the practice as a resurgence of “baby factories,” highlighting the urgent need for public awareness and intervention to curb this illegal activity.
According to Ibadin, young couples are entering into informal relationships by mutual consent, with the explicit intention of selling the newborns after birth. In some cases, after a woman delivers, the male partner disappears with the child and sells it, often without the mother’s knowledge or consent. This exploitative practice, which operates under the guise of relationships, has proven challenging for law enforcement due to its covert nature and the lack of reporting.
NAPTIP has noted that many residents, particularly in rural areas, remain unaware of the implications of human trafficking and the baby trade. Ibadin emphasised the need for community involvement in reporting suspicious activities to help dismantle these illegal operations. She also announced that NAPTIP plans to leverage the upcoming August meetings across Anambra State to intensify public sensitisation campaigns, aiming to educate communities about the deceptive tactics used by traffickers.
Since its establishment in 2020, the Anambra State Task Force on Human Trafficking has been actively addressing these issues through public awareness initiatives and collaboration with local authorities. Ibadin commended the task force’s efforts, noting that it is being equipped to tackle the rising cases of human trafficking in the state. She stressed that NAPTIP remains committed to informing the public and curbing this alarming trend, particularly in rural areas where such activities are most prevalent.
The agency has called on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. NAPTIP’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking underscore the importance of collective action to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure a safer, crime-free Anambra State.
