Godwin Obaseki, Edo State Governor, has described human trafficking as the greatest security challenge facing his administration and has vowed to deploy the state’s powers and resources to destroy the illicit trade. Edo is one of the states where human trafficking is rife. Over the years, many of its youths, particularly young girls, are lured by a cartel into trafficking to Italy where many end up working as prostitutes.
Speaking while receiving a delegation of the management and members of Edo Forum of Patriots (EFP), led by the chairman, Aiyamenkhue Edokpolor, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Benin City, Obaseki promised to break the hold of the human trafficking cartel has on youths of the state.
“Human Trafficking has become a security threat in the state as over 10,000 young men and women were trafficked in a space of 12 months and more than 30 percent of them lost their lives in the process,” Obaseki said.
Describing human trafficking as one disaster that has befallen Edo State as a people since the European invasion of 1897, he pointed out that even before the invasion, Edo people were never sold into slavery because they had a very powerful army.
“For us to start selling ourselves into slavery, means something fundamental has happened and much has gone wrong. We cannot fold our hands. Keeping mute as if nothing is happening is even scarier. As a government we took actions and some persons on social media are condemning our actions, I think those people should be arrested for aiding the crime.”
The governor noted that the tales of the returnees are disheartening as “one cannot but weep for their harrowing experiences, (people) who are deceived and moved from Nigeria by a cartel and syndicate who trade these people like common commodities.”
He assured that his administration will not relent in the fight and would mobilise the state’s resources to ensure the scourge is brought under control.
Edokpolor, said since the governor mounted the saddle of governance in the state, he has demonstrated extraordinary commitment towards the progress and well-being of Edo people and the state at large.
Edokpolor, said since the governor mounted the saddle of governance in the state, he has demonstrated extraordinary commitment towards the progress and well-being of Edo people and the state at large.
“We have set up a security and economic summit central planning committee to consult and seek collaboration with the Edo State Government and relevant agencies of the federal government for realistic solutions to our socio-economic challenges,” Edokpolor said.
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