Report all cases of trafficking to relevant authorities for prosecution – Otu’s wife

The wife of Cross River State Governor, Rev Eyoanwan Otu has enjoined citizens to prevent, protect and report all cases of trafficking to the relevant authorities for prosecution.

She gave this hint on Monday when she joined her counterparts world over to commemorate the 2023 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons with the theme: “Reach Every Victim of Trafficking, Leave No One Behind”.

Nigerian Tribune reports that the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, holds on July 30 every year with the aim of educating people and nations on the scourge of human trafficking, the plight of victims and their relations, the need to protect and preserve the rights of such victims, and ultimately, the urgent interventions required to put an and to incidents of human trafficking.

Eyoanwan stated that all over the world people have become victims of trafficking owing to several reasons and factors with increasing indifference and impunity by perpetrators of this inhumane act.

According to her, “global crises, conflicts, climate emergency, poor economic opportunities for sustainable livelihood, negligence to protection of human rights and socio economic inequalities has aided the escalation of trafficking thereby leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by these traffickers.

She noted that this year’s theme is the central transformative promise of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 Agenda and a bigger call for everyone all to get involved in stopping this ugly and menacing trend in our society.

“Those who lack legal status, live in poverty, have limited access to quality education, health care, sustainable means of livelihood, face discrimination, violence or abuse and come from marginalized communities are often primary targets of traffickers.”

“I call on other relevant agencies of law enforcements, public services and civil societies to enhance efforts in strengthening prevention courses, identify victims and support survivors of trafficking to put an end to this ugly trend, she assured.

“As humanity advocate, I reaffirm my commitment to join in the fight against this injustice through advocacy to government, developing preventive measures to curb vulnerability, proffering support and assistance where necessary, she said.