UROME – The Uromi Justice Development, Peace and Caritas Initiatives (JDPCI) has once again emphasized the need for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to combat child trafficking and uphold the dignity of the human person.

The Executive Director of Uromi JDPCI, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Fidelis Arhedo, made the call during the closeout meeting of the Act Against Child Trafficking in Nigeria (AACTING) Project and the commemoration of the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, held in Uromi, Edo State.

Fr. Arhedo described human trafficking as not only a crime against humanity but also a grave sin against God because it violates the sacred dignity bestowed on every human life.

He stressed that no child or adult should ever be treated as a commodity to be bought, sold, or exploited, noting that protecting the dignity of the human person is a shared responsibility that requires the commitment of all stakeholders, not just one institution.

According to him, the event marked the successful completion of a three-year intervention that has significantly strengthened efforts to combat child trafficking in Edo Central Senatorial District.

He expressed appreciation to the implementing partners, ECPAT France and Luxembourg, and the donor agency, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), for the confidence reposed in Uromi JDPCI throughout the implementation of the AACTING Project, which ran from August 2023 to July 2026.

The Executive Director also commended the contributions of government institutions, law enforcement agencies, traditional and religious leaders, schools, community structures, civil society organisations, the media, parents, caregivers, and other partners for working together to strengthen the child protection system during the project period.