The Edo State Government has appealed to citizens to join hands with the government to end the scourge of human trafficking in the state.
The Executive Secretary, Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT), Mrs. Itohan Okungbowa, made the appeal during a sensitization road show held by the taskforce in partnership 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 activities to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, with the theme: ‘Use and Abuse of Technology held on Saturday,’ on July 30, 2022.
The sensitization walk, which started from the Taskforce office at Coronation Avenue in Government Reservation Area (GRA) Benin City, reached major areas within the city, including Ibiwe axis, Oba Market and some motor parks.
Okungbowa, while addressing residents, said the program was organized by the State Government to mark the 2022 World Day against Trafficking in Persons.
She said many innocent Nigerians have fallen victims of trafficking, which does not only mean those who go abroad for prostitution, but also those who are involved in organ harvesting and trafficking for domestic work within the country.
She also warned residents to be careful of the new tricks used by traffickers on digital media platforms, where they send unsolicited messages with unrealistic promises to unsuspecting people.
She said the promises are not true, as many people who believed the scams have died or have serious health problems.
She said: “My good people of Edo State, this sensitization program was organized specially for you as part of the activities to mark the World Day against Trafficking in Persons
“When we talk about trafficking, we are not only talking about those who go abroad for prostitution, though that is trafficking. I want you to know that there is also domestic trafficking, where you bring underage girls from the north and other states to work for you and when it is time to pay salary, you pay to an agent. If you are caught, the full weight of the law will be on you.”
The Managing Director of IDRC, Mr. Saliu Aidorolo, while speaking to residents of Ibiwe, advised them not to fall for the false promises of financial empowerment through social media, as the aim of the people sending the messages is to harvest their organs, especially their kidneys.
Aidorolo urged residents to report anyone they know to be involved in trafficking to ETAHT and other relevant partners through the contact details on the flyers for quick action.
Miss Amayo Osarieme Betsy, one of the residents who was interviewed, praised Governor Godwin Obaseki for the government’s effort to end human trafficking in the state. She said most of the returnees she knows have been trained on different skills and empowerment programs to help them earn a better life.
She said: “Obaseki is determined to end human trafficking in the state; most of the returnees I know in my area now have skills, jobs or businesses through the help of the various skill acquisition and empowerment programs that the government is always organizing.”
