Edo State Government calls for better collaboration with citizens to sustain the fight against human trafficking – TDPel Media
In order to combat human trafficking, the Edo State Government has called for greater citizen participation in the fight.
Mrs. Itohan Okungbowa, Executive Secretary of the Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT), made the call during a sensitization road show organised by the taskforce in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Ideal Development and Resource Centre (IDRC), and Uromi Justice Development Peace and Caritas Initiatives (JDPCI) as part of the events commemorating the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
The sensitization walk visited key parts of the city, including the Ibiwe axis, Oba Market, and some motor parks. It started from the Taskforce office at Coronation Avenue in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) in Benin City.
While speaking to the locals, Okungbowa mentioned that the State Government had organised the programme to honour the 2022 World Day against Trafficking in Persons.
She claims that many innocent Nigerians have become victims of trafficking because the term includes not only those who engage in prostitution overseas but also those who traffic people for domestic labour within the nation and those who harvest organs.
She also cautioned locals to be careful of the latest scams being employed by traffickers on digital media platforms, where they send unsolicited communications to gullible individuals with inflated promises.
She emphasised that the claims made in the scams are untrue because some victims have died and numerous others have experienced major health problems.
She said, “My good people of Edo State, this sensitization program was organized specifically for you as part of the events to mark the World Day against Trafficking in Persons
“When we talk about trafficking, we are not only talking about those who fall victims of travelling abroad to do prostitution though that is trafficking, I want to let you know that there is what we call domestic trafficking where you recruit underage girls from the north and other States to come and serve you and when it’s time to pay salary, you pay to an Agent. If you are caught, the full weight of the law will be brought upon you”.
Mr. Saliu Aidorolo, Managing Director of IDRC, cautioned inhabitants of Ibiwe not to fall for unrealistic promises of financial empowerment through social media since the goal of those sending the messages is to harvest their organs, particularly their kidneys.
Aidorolo advised residents to report anyone suspected of trafficking to ETAHT and other relevant partners using the contact information on the flyers for prompt action.
When interviewed, Miss Amayo Osarieme Betsy, one of the residents, praised Governor Godwin Obaseki for the government’s efforts to combat human trafficking in the state. She stated that the majority of the returnees she knows have been taught various livelihood skills and empowerment programmes to help them have a better life.
She said, “Obaseki is committed to bringing human trafficking to an end in the State; most of the returnees I know in my area now have hand work, some have jobs and some are doing one business or the other through the help of the various skill acquisition and empowerment programs that the government is always organizing”.
