Abia <\/a>State Government and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, have inaugurated the Abia <\/a>State task force against human trafficking, aimed at protecting vulnerable citizens from the growing menace.<\/p>\n The task force has the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abia <\/a>State, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, SAN, as the Chairman.<\/p>\n Inaugurating the task force in Umuahia, Abia <\/a>State Governor, Alex <\/a>Otti described the action as a decisive step to eliminate human trafficking and uphold human dignity in the State.<\/p>\n \u201cThis moment is not merely ceremonial; it is strategic, purposeful and urgent.<\/p>\n \u201cThe establishment of this Task Force marks a decisive step in strengthening our collective resolve to prevent, combat, and ultimately eradicate the scourge of human trafficking within our dear State,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n Otti, who was represented by his deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, said that trafficking networks are often linked to organized crime, including drug trafficking and transnational criminal syndicates.<\/p>\n He lamented that families and communities have been affected by the menace but called for enforcement, rehabilitation and reintegration approaches<\/p>\n In her speech, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Mrs. Binta Adamu Bello, noted that the inauguration makes Abia <\/a>the 25th state in Nigeria to establish a NAPTIP-supported task force against the growing global menace.<\/p>\n In his remarks, Uwanna, SAN, expressed optimism that the initiative would prevent the State from becoming a haven for human traffickers.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n