(Politics) Nigeria records 1million human trafficking annually_ Ekweremadu

The Deputy President of the Senate, Sena­tor Ike Ekweremadu, has decried the high rate of human trafficking in Nige­ria, which he put at about 875,500 per annum, and called for concerted efforts to end the scourge.

Relying on the figures re­leased by the Global Slavery Index, Ekweremadu also re­vealed that there were about 45.8 million people living in one form of slavery or the other in about 167 countries around the world.

He spoke at an event or­ganised by Devatop Centre for Africa Development to mark the 2017 World Day Against Trafficking in Per­sons at the National Human Rights Commission Office, Abuja.

He regretted that Nigeria is a transit as well as desti­nation of persons, includ­ing women and children trafficked for prostitution, forced labour, and other forms of dehumanising ser­vitude and exploitation.

The lawmaker called for more concerted efforts by Nigerians and the interna­tional community to end the scourge.

He said: “Although hu­man trafficking syndicates are themselves powerful and operate with the col­laboration of corrupt per­sons in agencies entrusted with law enforcement and protection of persons across the world, the World Day Against Trafficking in Per­sons is a reminder that the war against the scourge is one we are very capable of winning.

“It is a call to renew our resolve to not only track down and bring the perpe­trators to book, but also to cut their supply chains”.

Ekweremadu said among other factors, poverty is at the centre of traffic in persons as it predisposes victims to desperation to escape into a false greener pasture, not knowing that they are jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

Source: authorityngr.com Jul 21, 2017