The Delta State Government has voiced its disappointment after a recent report revealed that the state surpassed Edo in recording the highest cases of human trafficking last year.
This revelation has prompted urgent action, with the signing of the Delta State Human Trafficking Prohibition Bill into law to tackle the menace decisively.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, as well as Chairman of the State Task Force on Human Trafficking, Mr. Ekemejero Ohwovoriole (SAN), disclosed this during a one-day sensitisation program held in Asaba.
The event, organized in collaboration with the Directorate of Transport and the Girl Power Initiative (GPI) as part of the 2024 International Migrants Day activities, targeted members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), tricycle owners, and private park operators.
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Mr. Ohwovoriole emphasized the severe penalties outlined in the new law, including the seizure of vehicles used in human trafficking.
He urged transport operators to be vigilant and report suspicious activities involving passengers as part of their role in combating the issue.
“Transporters must go the extra mile to observe the demeanor of passengers and report any red flags. This collaboration is key to eradicating human trafficking in Delta State,” he stated.
Representing the State Commissioner for Transport, Engr. Victor Omoniyi highlighted the importance of adhering to the State’s transportation data management law.
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He stressed that all passengers using motor parks must provide accurate data. Engr. Omoniyi warned that any park found complicit in human trafficking activities would face severe consequences, including closure, vehicle seizures, fines, and potential jail sentences for those involved.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. May Ikoghode Ekido, the Coordinator of Girl Power Initiative, highlighted alarming findings from recent research, which identified Delta State as a hub for human trafficking.
However, she expressed optimism that the newly enacted law would lead to significant progress in curbing the menace.
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She commended the Ministry of Justice for facilitating the engagement between stakeholders and expressed hope for collaborative efforts to address the issue effectively.
The sensitisation program saw active participation from key stakeholders, including members of the NURTW, Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria, the State Task Force on Human Trafficking, and officials from the Directorate of Transport and the Ministry of Justice.
The event concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to intensify their efforts in the fight against human trafficking.
