By Uwakmfon Dan
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Uyo Zonal Command, has debunked widespread reports on organ harvesting and human trafficking in Akwa Ibom State.
Recall that the Agency’s Head of Public Enlightenment, Eme Ukpabio, at a recent event to mark the 2025 National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, had accused some hospitals and clinics in the state of engaging in human harvesting, among other criminal acts.
She also claimed that approximately 750,000 to one million children, between 2021 and 2024, were abducted for trafficking and other exploitative purposes in Akwa Ibom State.
The reports of her revelations were published on various newspapers and the social media.
However, the Uyo Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mr. Emmanuel Awhen, while briefing Journalists at the Command’s Office in Uyo, Tuesday, refuted the reports, describing them as misleading, deceptive and inaccurate.
Awhen, represented by the Command’s Head of Administration, Benjamin Essang, insisted that the publications do not accurately represent the presentations made by the Agency’s Head of Public Enlightenment at the event.
He further clarified that the statics earlier presented, were drawn from “global trends and intended to educate the public, without referencing specific incidents in Akwa Ibom State.”
“While NAPTIP promotes public awareness regarding the issue of organ harvesting, it is important to clarify that there has been no reported incident in any hospital or clinic in Akwa Ibom State.”
“Human trafficking remains a pervasive global issue and it is crucial for the public to remain vigilant and cautious in their interactions, particularly concerning the welfare of both children and adults”, he said.
While soliciting the cooperation of citizens in the fight against human trafficking, the NAPTIP Commander urged members of the public, government entities and organisations to disregard the said reports, as they are inaccurate and unfounded.
Present during the briefing were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Eno Ime Akpan; Director, Gender-based Violence Response Unit, Ministry of Justice, Akwa Ibom State, Barr. Emem Ette; Head of the Public Enlightenment Unit, NAPTIP, Eme Ukpabio, and Amb. Peace Edem of the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse, and Labour (NACTAL), amongst other officials.
