FIC Report (Edo State) – The global upsurge in technology has been identified as a tool that has exposed victims to human trafficking through the social media. This submission was made by the Zonal Commander, Benin Zonal Command of the National Agency For The Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Barr. Nduka Nwanwenne, at an event to commemorate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2022.
Barr. Nwanwenne also disclosed that in the past human traffickers paid visits to communities to solicit for their victims but have now gone online due to technological developments.
In her remark , the pioneer Zonal Commander, Benin Zonal Command of the Agency, Barr. Funke Abiodun reaffirmed her determination to continue to fight against human trafficking. She expressed worries that human trafficking is still going on and submitted that the illicit act should be stopped.
Barr. Abiodun who explained that young boys are also trafficked, however bemoaned the cases of the young girls that are being trafficked for prostitution.
The legal practitioner who retired from service in 2011 boasted that she is still strong and available to join in creating awareness concerning the evil trade of human trafficking.
The Secretary, Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking, Mrs. Itohan Okungbowa, in her speech said that the sensitization was apt and marked globally to educate the society to refrain from the abusive use of technology.
She stressed the need to be watchful to avoid being victims of human trafficking.
Representatives of some other stakeholders/ partners of NAPTIP also delivered some good will messages. They all agreed that human trafficking is evil and urged everyone to join NAPTIP to announce to the world that the illicit act must end.
As early as 9.00am on the day of the programme, Barr. Nduka led the staff and partners / stakeholders of his Agency from their office at Adesuwa street in GRA Benin city on a road walk through the Airport Road and terminated the journey at the National Museum ground, at Oba Ovbuoramwrn square, Benin City.
In the carnival like procession were representatives of The National Human Right Commission, International Organization On Migration, National Orientation Agency( NOA), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Federal Road Safety Commission,The Nigeria Police Force, The Nigeria Immigration, Edo State Transport Management Agency (EDSMA), The Face Of Not For Sale, Radio Nigeria, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), United Nation High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR), Network Of Civil Society Organisation against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), German Agency for International Cooperation. ( GIZ), COSUDOW, Girls Power Initiative (GPI), Edo Hub, Name Foundation, Patriotic Citizenship ( PCI),The Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking, Students, and other Non-Governmental Organisations.
The theme, of this year’s event is, “Use and Abuse of Technology”. The world day against human trafficking is a day set aside by the United Nations to speak against the act of human trafficking. The campaign is an annual event.
By Egwaoje Amarachi Linda.
FIC, Benin.
