By Godspower Eguasa
The Edo State Government has called for better collaboration with citizens to sustain the fight against human trafficking in a bid to curb the menace.
The Executive Secretary, Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT), Mrs. Itohan Okungbowa, made the call during a sensitization road show organized 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 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 began from the Taskforce office at Coronation Avenue in Government Reservation Area (GRA) Benin City, covered major areas within the city to Ibiwe axis, Oba Market and some motor parks.
Okungbowa while addressing residents, noted that the program was organized by the State Government in commemoration of the 2022 World Day against Trafficking in Persons.
According to her, a lot of innocent Nigerians have fallen victims of trafficking as the concept does not only imply those engaging in prostitution abroad, but those involved in organ harvesting and trafficking in persons for domestic work within the country.
Furthermore, she urged residents to be wary of the new tricks being used by traffickers on digital media platforms where they send unsolicited messages with unrealistic promises to unsuspecting people.
She stressed that the promises are not realistic as many people who fell for the scams have died and several others with serious health challenges.
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”.
The Managing Director of IDRC, Mr. Saliu Aidorolo, while addressing residents of Ibiwe, advised them not to fall for the unrealistic promises of financial empowerment through social media as the aim of the persons sending the messages is to harvest their organs, especially their kidneys.
Aidorolo urged residents to report anyone known to be engaging in trafficking to ETAHT and other relevant partners via the contact details on the flyers for swift action.
Miss Amayo Osarieme Betsy, one of the residents when interviewed, commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for the government’s effort to curb human trafficking in the State. She noted that most of the returnees known to her have been trained on different livelihood skills and empowerment programs to enable them earn 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”.
