Statistics show a dramatic increase in internal and external Trafficking in Persons in Nigeria, Deputy Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Service, Mohammed Babandede has said.

Babandede made the statement at a symposium, organised by Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF), to mark the 2015 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in Abuja on Thursday.

He said statistics from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) show that child labour significantly increased by 8.9 per cent in 2014.

Babandede said that statistics also show that external trafficking for sexual exploitation increased by 4.4 per cent, while cases of kidnapping from guardianship rose by 2.1 per cent.

“The number of cases reported for child abuse is 7.1 per cent, while internal trafficking for sexual exploitation increased by 4 per cent in the year under review.”

Babandede expressed regret that Nigeria had remained in the tier-two stage for some years after it was degraded from the tier one status achieved through hard work and sacrifice by government and civil society groups.

The Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration, Ms. Enira KrdZalic, in a goodwill message, stressed the need for more awareness and sensitisation of the public on the ills of human trafficking.

KrdZalic said public enlightenment was essential in the fight.

She cited the International Labour Organisation and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime record which shows that nearly 21 million people, often very poor and vulnerable, are victims of trafficking.

She said some of the victims were either for sexual exploitation, forced labour and begging, illegal organ removal, domestic servitude and forced marriages.

Wife of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Chief Amina Titi Abubakar urged Nigerians to understand that “human trafficking is a sin against humanity.”

Abubakar, who is the founder of WOTCLEF, said children should be educated to be able to avoid being deceived and trafficked.

She also advised that people should be self-contented as greed and quest for riches had been linked to be factors in human trafficking.

The theme of the celebration was “Human, not Commodity.” (NAN)