The Anti-kidnapping, Human Trafficking, Child Abuse, and Drug Abuse Initiative (AKH-TRACADA) has called for urgent action to end illicit substance abuse, drug and human trafficking, and organ harvesting in Nigeria.

AKH-TRACADA made the call in a statement on Friday.

It said combating human trafficking required cooperation, teamwork, and a multifaceted strategy involving governments, law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, and individuals.

It lamented the huge casualties in human and material resources associated with drug-related attacks, particularly among the youths, insisting that lawmakers must act before it gets late.

AKH-TRACADA expressed concern that human trafficking was becoming a common crime across African countries, saying that Nigeria was vast, with over 200 million people.

“We need to work effectively both with government and non-government actors to be able to sensitise communities, youth leaders, traditional leaders, educational institutions, and the media. This is important so that we can spread the message that drug and human trafficking does exist, and they should always be against it,” it said.

AKH-TRACADA added, “Nigeria as a country has suffered so many loss of lives and dignity due to the involvement of well-meaning Nigerians trafficking in humans and drugs. We all know that the catalyst to violence, Boko Haram, herdsmen and farmers clashes, bandits, and so many communal wars are as a result of drugs.”

It urged the federal government to step up preventive and enforcement measures to check the menace of human trafficking.

AKH-TRACADA also advised the government to implement stringent measures against parents who colluded with human traffickers to exploit their children.

(NAN)