Representatives of communities in the South West of Nigeria, received intensive training in Abeokuta at the weekend on how to checkmate the nefarious activities of Human traffickers.
Picture shows Task Force members of the NAPTIP from Ogun, Lagos and Oyo States, showin Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, Towulade Akinale, Owu Kingdom, representing Ogun State.
Sponsored by the United Nations International Organisatiom for Migration (IOM), the context of the training include the methodology of Human Trafficking whereby the traffickers cajole their victims with promise of Eldorado in foreign countries, and on arrival at destinations, they are turned to prostitutes, slaves, beggars and victims of organs harvesting.
The trauma of the victims also continue on deportation to Nigeria as he or she becomes excommunicated in the society.
NAPTIP’s responsibility to cater and rehabilitate the victim begins therefrom and only the community can identify such victims, and sometimes, the traffickers, for which they should “blow the whistle”.
Speaking during the training, several of the trainees expressed their dismay at the neglect of the government in Nigeria to provide jobs and social amenities that are pushfactors for Nigerians, particularly the youth, to wanting to leave the country for greener locations.
Participants however commended Ogun State Government for including a traditional ruler in the State’s Task Force on NAPTIP to attend the training, adding that they benefitted tremendously from the experience and contribution of the traditional ruler in the exercise.
