As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Jigawa State Command, has launched an aggressive grassroots sensitization campaign to curb human trafficking and prevent the recruitment of youths for political violence.
The Jigawa State Commander of NAPTIP, Mr. Abdulkadir Turajo, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Friday.
According to Turajo, the exercise aims to educate students, youths, and the general public on the dangers of political exploitation and trafficking, while promoting peaceful democratic participation and protecting vulnerable individuals across the state.
The commander revealed that the statewide awareness drive will run through the final quarter of 2026 across all 27 Local Government Areas in Jigawa State.
The campaign has already made inroads into local educational institutions, targeting young students who are often vulnerable to political manipulation:
Oct. 13 – Oct. 15: Sensitization sessions were held at Government Girls Arabic Secondary School Dutse, Divine Mercy Secondary School, and 744 Mopol Base Secondary School Dutse.
Turajo underscored that NAPTIP’s action is backed by robust legal frameworks designed to curb human exploitation and political violence:
Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition), Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015: Criminalizes all forms of human trafficking and provides for prevention, investigation, and prosecution.
Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 (Section 23): Specifically criminalizes political violence and prescribes penalties for perpetrators and facilitators.
Turajo appealed to school administrators, parents, religious and traditional leaders, community groups, and youth organizations to collaborate with NAPTIP in spotting trafficking red flags and safeguarding young people.
He also cautioned political actors and their supporters to refrain from exploiting youths and instead uphold democratic norms.
“Our message is clear: protect our children, reject human trafficking, say no to political violence, and work together for a peaceful Jigawa State,” Turajo stated, reiterating the agency’s commitment to enforcing the law and building safer communities. (NAN)
