Delta overtakes Edo in highest cases of human trafficking

Delta State Government has expressed disappointment after it discovered that in last year’s report, the state overtook Edo with the highest cases of human trafficking.

The state Attorney-General Commissioner for Justice, and Chairman, State Task Force on Human Trafficking, Mr. Ekemejero Ohwovoriole SAN said however that with the signing of the Delta State Human Trafficking Prohibition Bill into law, strict penalties including seizures of vehicles used for Human Trafficking would be meted on persons found wanting.

Ohwovoriole was speaking in Asaba during a one-day sensitisation on human trafficking organised for national union of road transport workers, tricycle owners, and private park owners in collaboration with the Directorate of Transport and the Girl Power Initiative in commemoration of the 2024 International Migrants Day.

The commissioner told transporters that they had a role to play in the fight against human trafficking by going the extra mile to observe the demaenour of their passengers and report any red flags as a way of eradicating the menace.

The representative of the State Commissioner for Transport, Engr. Victor Omoniyiin his remark, stated in compliance with the State transportation data management law, data of all passengers through the parks must be taken.

He warned against any passenger failing to provide proper data at motor parks, saying, “If the State government discovered that anybody was trafficking persons through their parks, their parks would not only be closed and their vehicles seized but they would also pay some fines and possibly be sentenced to jail.

The Transport Commissioner spoke of the significance of December 12 International Migrants Day and urged stakeholders to take the sensitization seriously.

On her part, Mrs May Ikoghode Ekido, the coordinator of Girls Power Initiative (GPI) who was one of the facilitators at the event noted that a recent research has shown that the state is high in human trafficking.

She expressed hope that with the Delta State Human Trafficking Prohibition Law, the State would record tremendous achievement in the fight against human trafficking even as she appreciated the ministry for making it possible for them to meet with other stakeholders in the State.

Others in attendance were members of NURTW, Tricycles Owners Association of Nigeria, State Task Force on Human Trafficking, the Directorate of Transport, and officials of the Ministry of Justice.