Onu-Ika in collaboration with the State Government and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) held a seminar on “War Against Human Trafficking” at Imiele/Udomi Township Hall in Abavo, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State on Wednesday, September 19, 2018, to inform the people of the dangers of human trafficking.
In an address, the NAPTIP Commander, Benin Zonal Command, Comrade Nduka Nwanwene, acknowledge the effort of those who turned out for the seminar and the Delta State Government for the fight against human trafficking.
He said, “Human trafficking is a major threat that has eaten deep into the happiness of so many youths. It is not a friend to negotiate with, but an enemy which destroys and takes lives”.
He went on to cite so many examples of victims of human trafficking and the harms it has caused them, especially those in Nigeria.
He added, “Today, human trafficking has become a business, following the rate at which so many people are desperate to travel out of the shores of Nigeria for greener pastures, but after so much amount of money paid and a lot of promises made to them by their agents, they end up deceieved into commercial sex workers and criminal activities to generate money for their boss, most of the girls sleeping with 20-30 men per day to meet up the boss demand. This has often resulted to them damaging their wombs.”
He therefore called on parents to help put hands together with the government to fight against human trafficking.
Also speaking at the event, the Head Collective Leadership of Onu Ika, Elder Daniel F. O. Usifoh, enlightened the people on what illegal migration entails and admonished parents to desist from sending or allowing their children to travel abroad without the legal means of migration which includes obtaining an international passport, visa, travel air ticket and place or hotel ticket, in order to avoid being harassed or harmed.
“Most of these human traffickers come in the guise of helpers, most especially to orphans and the indigent ones in the society with so many promises to help them make money with their handiwork (for those who have handiwork) when they get there. But on arrival, they turn them into sex slaves to generate money for them through prostitution. In order to gain their 100% obedience and loyalty, to compel them into taking an oath of allegiance from spiritual herbalists, and those who violate the oath suffer punishments,” Elder Usifoh disclosed.
He went further to state that they will never stop to fight against human trafficking across Delta State, that the nine local governments in Anioma will all be visited for the campaign/seminar including Asaba, the state capital.
Three returnee victims from Libya narrated their ordeal at the event and expressed thanks to God for saving their lives from the ill treatment and agony they went through in the hands of human traffickers in Libya.
The DG of Police, Abavo, Monday Aghosamwuan, appreciated the state government and the agencies for putting up such an educative programme for the people. He said that on the side of the police, they are in full support to help sustain peace, and that the people should report to them in case there is a human trafficking suspect.
The seminar was graced by so many personalities amongst whom were: Chief Dr. F. A. Onyekpeze, Deputy Head Collective Leadership, Onu Ika, Chief Mrs. Lizzy Ogbetua, Assistant Secretary Onu Ika, Chief Ehikwe J., Treasurer Onu Ika, Albert O. Iyare, Deputy Commissioner of Operations of the Nigeria Police Force (D.C.O), Agbejegwe Jonathan, PG Abavo Clan Union, Elder Samuel Tuyu, Okibali-ukwu of Abavo Kingdom, Odeh Philip, Okibali-ukwu Igbogili, Emeka Irabor, President, Abavo Youth Council, Pastor Charles Ekpenisi, Vice President General, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), and some members of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC).
This event marks the second of the sensitization programme against human trafficking and illegal migration of Delta Youth.