By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
It was a case of from frying pan to the fire for some of the minors kept under the custody of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) as one of its staff (driver) in Uyo zonal office, Mr Akwaowo Jonah Emmanuel, allegedly assaulted them sexually.
This alleged act has earned the said Emmanuel suspension.
It was said that the minors were victims of earlier sexual harassment but were kept in their custody for investigations.
The suspension was contained in a letter from NAPTIP with reference number NAPTIP/PwP/462/T1 titled, “Update and Proactive Response by the Management of the NAPTIP on the Alleged Sexual Harassment of Victim by Mr Jonah Akwaowo Emmanuel.” It was dated February 10, 2025 and made available to Journalists in Uyo by its Press Officer, Mr Vincent Adekoye.
It was gathered that the suspension of Emmanuel was the outcome of a report of the interim committee set up by the management of the agency to investigate the matter, pending the final decision of the Senior Staff Committee who had deliberated and recommend appropriate sanction for the offender in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules.
Following the abuse on the minors by the driver, an Abuja based human rights crusader, Jacob B. Udobang of Jacob B. Udobang Associates has petitioned the agency exposing some of the illicit activities of some staff in Uyo Zonal office.
He demanded that the matter be transferred to the headquarters for the DG to investigate impartially.
The Director General of NAPTIP, Benta Bello, while reacting on the incident, vowed that the officer concerned would be made to face the full wrath of the law if found guilty of the offence.
