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By Alfred Ajayi
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has called for greater support from the Imo State Government to tackle the rising cases of human trafficking, warning that illegal orphanages, popularly known as baby factories, have become one of the state’s most pressing security and social challenges.
The Imo State Commander of NAPTIP, Mr. Toochukwu Ezejiegu, raised the alarm in an interview, saying investigations have revealed that Imo has emerged as a major source of trafficking victims, with baby factory operations accounting for a significant proportion of the cases handled by the agency.
According to him, child trafficking through illegal orphanages remains widespread, while other forms of trafficking, including the sexual exploitation of women and deceptive overseas recruitment schemes, also persist across the state.
“Since I came in, I found that human trafficking, especially orphanage trafficking, which are baby factories, is on the high side.
“Apart from that, other forms of human trafficking, including feeding on the prostitution of another person, are also there,” he said.
Ezejiegu explained that Imo serves primarily as a source state where victims are recruited before being moved to destinations within and outside Nigeria.
“When it comes to orphanage trafficking, this place is not a transit point. It is where it originates before the victims are moved to various destinations.
“In other aspects of human trafficking, Imo State is also a source rather than a final destination,” he stated.
To strengthen the fight against the crime, the NAPTIP commander disclosed that the agency is working with the Imo State Government to establish a state task force on human trafficking.
He said discussions with the state had been encouraging, revealing that the Commissioner for Justice had agreed to co-chair the proposed task force alongside NAPTIP to enhance inter-agency coordination and enforcement.
Ezejiegu also commended the Ministries of Women Affairs and Education, as well as other security agencies, for their collaboration, but stressed that the command remains constrained by inadequate funding and logistics.
According to him, the absence of operational vehicles and other essential resources has hampered the agency’s ability to respond promptly to trafficking cases.
“We need operational vehicles, better office accommodation and more funding. The Federal Government is trying, but it is not sufficient.
“Since we are protecting the people of Imo State, especially children who are victims of trafficking, the state government should help bridge the gaps,” he appealed.
The NAPTIP commander further identified low public awareness as a key driver of human trafficking, noting that many parents unknowingly fall prey to traffickers through false promises of employment, education and better opportunities for their children.
He said the command had intensified public enlightenment campaigns across communities to educate residents on the tactics used by traffickers and discourage participation in illegal adoption, baby factory operations and other forms of exploitation.
Ezejiegu expressed confidence that with stronger collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations and community leaders, Imo State could significantly reduce human trafficking and provide better protection for vulnerable children and women.
