{The Rwanda National Police (RNP) ongoing campaign against Human trafficking continued yesterday in ESSA Nyarugunga where officers engaged over 300 students to beware and report strangers and anyone that tries to take them without the knowledge of parents or guardians.}
Such people, students were told, could be human traffickers that devise varied tricks to successfully win the hearts of their targets.The call was made by Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Herbert Rutaro from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) while meeting the students at the school premises yesterday.
“A significant feature of human trafficking is the promise of jobs, opportunities for school and a better life, usually in a foreign country. The traffickers want their victim for forced sexual exploitation, and forced labour,” CIP Rutaro told students.
He added that, “Rwanda National Police is actively involved in this awareness so that no one falls victim, and it should as well be your responsibility.”
Global statistics indicate that human trafficking is the most under reported crime in the world; therefore according to the police, it is important for every citizen to be sensitized in order to develop a mechanism that guards against the crime.
CIP Rutaro told the students that the different social media platforms are used to lure persons into the crime, and warned them about the ills of sharing their personal information with strangers online.
He said that the most effective strategy against human trafficking is to know about it.
He also informed the students of some practical questions to ask in the event they suspect that they are likely to be lured into the human trafficking.
“Ask yourself these questions; how did I get a visa and I did not attend a visa interview? How am I being offered so much money for very minimal work? Why me with this offer from a stranger? We have to think, so don’t let sweet talk and nice things capture you,” he warned.
The head teacher of ESSA Nyarugunga William Wasswa noted that the forum was quite useful as students were equipped with knowledge against human trafficking.
He argued that the information given to them is necessary and will help them to make informed decisions.
“We are thankful to the police for its continued efforts in helping us raise responsible and safe citizens,” said the Headmaster.
One of the students Romain Nsengiyumva said; “we didn’t know that any of us can be a target of human trafficking; we didn’t know the brutality involved in human trafficking that’s why we are thankful to the police for enlightening us about effects of human trafficking.”
Another student, Rehema Nikuze also joined in thanking the police and pledged to extend the knowledge acquired to their peers.
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