Ini Billie, Uyo
The Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP), Akwa Ibom State Command has denied claims that hospitals and clinics in the state are involved in organ harvesting.
Head of Public Enlightenment, NAPTIP, Mrs Eme Ukpabio denied media reports credited to her during the 2025 National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Uyo that “one person had been arrested in connection with organ harvesting and that some clinics and hospitals were engaged in the business of organ harvesting in the state.”
Ukpabio stated in a press statement on Monday in Uyo that human trafficking was applicable in all the states in Nigeria and globally, adding that her response to the media question on organ harvesting was misinterpreted.
She added that her response was intended to highlight the need for the collective efforts of stakeholders in tackling human trafficking, noting that NAPTIP never accused any entity within the state of organ harvesting.
“My attention has been drawn to the publications by some national newspapers and online media organisations that clinics and hospitals in Akwa Ibom State indulge in organ harvesting and that an organ harvesting suspect was subsequently arrested in the state.
“I, therefore, want to put the record straight as follows: That my statement on the organ harvesting syndicate was intended to draw the attention of stakeholders to the dynamism and evolving nature of human trafficking in all the states in Nigeria and globally, especially.
“That the statement was to highlight the need for collective efforts of all stakeholders including sister law-enforcement agencies, CS0’s, development Partners, and State and Non-State Actors among others and that NAPTIP never accused any entity within the state of organ harvesting.
“That my statement translated to the fact that there is possible suspicion of organ harvesting in the state as it is in other states in Nigeria,” she stated.
Ukpabio also faulted the report that 750 to 1,000 people trafficked in Akwa Ibom State was obtained from the UNODCS Google report of June 2023.
“I also want to put the records straight that the statistics or data that 750,000 to one million people are trafficked yearly from Nigeria, of which Akwa Ibom State is part, was drawn from the UNODCS Google report of June 2023, which states that “between 750,000 and one million persons are trafficked annually from Nigeria, and I added that Akwa Ibom State is one of the Nigerian States that is endemic,” she said.
The Enlightenment Officer, who highlighted the collaborative role of the Akwa Ibom State government and other stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking, commended Governor Umo Eno for setting up an anti-trafficking task force through the Office of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and for the recent creation of the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry.
“NAPTIP Uyo Command makes bold to say with all sense of responsibility that it has enjoyed unparalleled collaboration and support of the State Government in the areas of tackling the issues of human trafficking.
“That His Excellency’s led administration has proved to be most responsive in addressing critical issues that affect the citizens like human trafficking. That, it is demonstrated through the setting up of necessary structures and institutions in the state.
“On the Agency’s part, we shall continue to work closely with the State Government through relevant organs of the Government and as well as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigerian Barr Association (NBA), NACTAL, and Religious bodies,” she noted.