The Chairman of the Rivers Indigenous Non-Governmental Organisations, Tombari Dumka-Kote has called for the shutting down of a hospital alleged to have stolen a woman’s baby in Port Harcourt.
A mother identified as Precious Kebbi had accused the hospital of stealing one of her babies after she had delivered there few months ago.
Precious, a mother of four in a chat with journalists yesterday, noted that she is not satisfied with the way and manner the police is handling the matter since it was reported to them.
CHILD TRAFFICKING: GROUP TAKES CAMPAIGN TO OGUTA, IMO STATE
…Demands Community Action to Curb Activity of Traffickers
As part of its Red Card and Zero Tolerance Campaign Against Child Trafficking, Child Abuse, as well as Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the South-East and South-South geo-political zones of Nigeria, a non-governmental organization, the Centre for Justice, Empowerment & Development (C4J) has taken its campaign to Oguta town, in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
The organization also placed a demand on residents of Oguta and the traditional institution to ensure they put in place initiatives aimed at curbing the menance of human trafficking and gender based violence in their communities.
Tombari Dumka-Kote, Founder, Centre for Justice, Empowerment & Development (C4J) in addressing participants, said the demand on the traditional institution has become necessary following the increasing trend in cases of child trafficking, child abuse and gender based violence in Imo State, hinting that the trend is however not farfetched from happenings in other State of the federation which has attracted a combined effort on the part of civil society organizations, government institutions and agencies, as well as the international community.
Dumka-Kote who hailed the combined efforts of security agencies in fighting human traffickers, said the successes so far recorded is as a result of the cooperation received from community residents who act as whistleblowers in reporting activities of traffickers and perpetrators of gender based violence to security agents and civil society actors.
‘The recent arrest and prosecution of some child traffickers, including Chinyere Ohanyere, popularly known as Madam Chichi, and her suspected accomplice Ngozi Egbuson Ebuzoaju, by the Imo State Police Command over the case of alleged child trafficking is welcomed by C4J, as we believe it will serve as a warning to others who may want to engage in related acts’.
The Gender Rights Activist who said poverty is not an excuse for people to engage themselves in human trafficking activities, call on traditional rulers to enlighten their community members against falling prey to traffickers, warning that parents should mind who they hand their children to, in the name of gaining educational and greener opportunities in city centres.
Also speaking, Henry Nwadiaru, a participant and youth of Oguta, said the sensitization campaign is to make traffickers understand that every human was created and born equal, and have value in the society.
Nwadiaru warned those involved in child trafficking and Gender Based Violence to stop henceforth as they will soon be caught, should they refuse to stop from engaging in the inhuman and ungodly practice.
On his part, the Traditional Prime Minister of Oguta, Chief Frank Omezuru, commended the C4J for considering Oguta in its sensitization campaign. He assured that the traditional institution will give full support to every genuine effort in the fight against child trafficking and gender based violence.