Nigerian nun organizes Yak Iyamma Team to fight human trafficking

By Sr Oluwakemi Akinleye, FSP

Sr Anthonia M. Essien is a member of the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus in Nigeria. She is a professor of sociology of religion and current deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Uyo, Nigeria.

Despite her busy schedule as a university professor, Sister Anthonia has responded to the plight of trafficking victims by joining wholeheartedly in the fight against human trafficking, through awareness and acquisition programs of skills.

“I was moved by the victims’ stories. I could not sleep. I had to do something for them,” Sister Anthonia said.

Lives of children and adolescents saved

Since 2021, Sister Anthonia has carried out several pastoral activities in rural villages in Akwa Ibom State, raising awareness about the evils of human trafficking.

She actively works with local law enforcement to facilitate the arrest of traffickers and ensure they are brought to justice.

His efforts recently helped save several children and adolescents sold to traffickers inside the country.

“I was shocked to learn that some of the children had been sold by an adult they knew,” Sister Anthonia said. “My first reaction, when the father of two of my children told me they were missing, was to involve the police and the national anti-trafficking service. Their quick response helped save the children. »

Community Action Group

Sister Anthonia had the idea to create a community action group – local donors and stakeholders – to involve the local community in the Yak Iyamma project for the prevention of human trafficking.

This involves training community leaders and young people to become other ambassadors for protecting local community members from traffickers, and equipping young people with the skills necessary for their livelihood.

With the support of her nuns and funding from local donors and the Arise Foundation in the United Kingdom, Sister Anthonia and her team were able to reach many vulnerable people in the rural communities of Abiaokpo Ikot Abasi Inyang in Akwa Ibom. State.

“Every day I thank God and pray for all those who support this work, especially our benefactors,” Sister Anthonia said.

Anti-trafficking campaigns

Some of Yak Iyamma's anti-trafficking campaigns in Akwa Ibom State have been carried out in markets, on the streets and in interior villages.

Sister Anthonia and her team went out to meet people in the scorching heat and heavy rains to raise awareness about the activities of traffickers, who steal children and lure teenagers from the local community, and how to which they can participate in. in the fight against this evil.

“We must continue to educate our population on the different ways in which human traffickers deceive them and our voices must be louder, especially where some members of the community have become victims,” Sister Anthonia insisted. There were times when the Yak Iyamma team had to walk for hours to reach some local communities, but they did so with joy and contentment.

Unfortunately, human traffickers in Nigeria continue to target the most vulnerable and marginalized communities.

However, despite numerous threats, Sister Anthonia and her team are not discouraged and continue to raise awareness in rural communities, offering skills acquisition programs to empower young people in the fight against human trafficking and to promote protection of minors and adults. vulnerable in society.