The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has intensified its fight against human trafficking by taking its awareness campaign directly to public secondary schools in Edo State, urging students to be vigilant against deceptive recruitment tactics.

The sensitisation programme was recently held at Niger College in Benin City, where NAPTIP officials addressed students on the dangers of trafficking and exploitation. As part of the initiative, the agency inaugurated an Anti-Trafficking Club within the school to sustain peer-to-peer awareness and advocacy.

Speaking during the event, the Zonal Commander of NAPTIP Benin Command, Sam Offiah, warned students against falling prey to traffickers who often lure young people with false promises of lucrative jobs and overseas travel opportunities.

He explained that traffickers frequently promise air travel and well-paying employment abroad, but victims often end up travelling by road through dangerous desert routes. Those who reach foreign countries may find themselves forced into harsh labour conditions on farms, plantations, or other exploitative environments.

Offiah also cautioned students about other forms of exploitation, including sexual exploitation and domestic servitude. He stressed that some victims are forced into prostitution, while others are made to work long hours under inhumane conditions without proper pay or freedom.

Beyond labour and sexual exploitation, he warned of the extreme risks associated with trafficking, including organ harvesting — a reality that has destroyed many lives.

The NAPTIP official encouraged students to focus on their education and resist shortcuts that promise quick wealth abroad.

“Stay in school, complete your education, and pursue your chosen profession legitimately,” he advised. “Traffickers treat human beings as commodities. We want you to grow, graduate, and become responsible members of society.”

The newly inaugurated Anti-Trafficking Club is expected to serve as a student-led platform for ongoing education, awareness campaigns, and reporting of suspicious activities within the school community.

Education stakeholders say bringing anti-trafficking advocacy directly into schools is a proactive step toward protecting vulnerable young Nigerians, especially in states that have historically been hotspots for trafficking networks.