By Lucky Isibor,
The Edo State government is currently prosecuting more than 20 cases involving human trafficking through the state ministry of justice.
The state government has also assured of it’s determination to diligently prosecute all the cases to deter future involvement in the menace and the proper implementation of the extant laws on human trafficking.
The Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe stated this at a stakeholders meeting and sensitisation workshop on human trafficking organised by the Africa Faith and Justice Network of Nigeria, (AFJN-N) held in Benin City.
The Commissioner for Justice who’s also the Chairman of the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking, appealed to parents and guidance to dissuade their children and wards from traveling abroad as according to her they are forced into all manner of dehumanisation, including prostitution, forced labour, human organ harvesting and even imprisonment.
Welcoming participants to the workshop with the theme “Solidarity against trafficking in person”, the executive director, Africa Faith and Justice Network, Rev. Father Aniedi Okure, said the organisation seeks to educate and advocate for just relationship with Africa and to work in partnership with African people as they engage in the struggle for justice, peace and the integrity of creation.
While urging all hands to be on deck in the fight against domestic and sexual violence, Rev. Fr. Okure said the Catholic sisters formed a network of Catholic women religious who would actively engage on issues of human rights violation, especially those pertaining to women and children.
“Domestic and sexual violence plagues Nigeria society. Nearly 30% of women have experienced physical violence. One in four girls and one in sir boys experience sexual violence before the age of 18, human trafficking continues taking place at an alarming rates.
“The sisters formed a network of Catholic women religious who would actively engage issues of human rights violation especially those pertaining to women and children and the integrity of creation.
“AFJN-N is mobilising Nigerian women and women religious towards changing the structures that perpetrate poverty, working with them to become a formidable force for solving the current socio-economic and political ills in Nigeria, particularly the issue of human trafficking,” Rev. Fr. Okure said.
In her remarks, president of the Laity Council, Catholic Archdiocese of Benin, Dr. (Mrs.) Christiana Jeghede blamed government at all levels in Nigeria for the causes of illegal migration and human trafficking. She pointed out that the present hardship in the country also contribute to the menace of human trafficking.
