Clergy Tasks Govt on Human Trafficking, Takes Campaign to Streets

......says human trafficking generates annual profits of 7 billion dollars 

By Lucky Isibor

To stem the ugly trend of human trafficking, punish traffickers to deter them from engaging in the illegal, but lucrative and thriving business of human trafficking, the Executive Director of Justice Development and Peace Caritas Initiative (JDPCI) of Uromi Catholic Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Fidelis Arhedo has tasked the Edo State Government on the activation of the Victims of Trafficking Trust Fund and its committee as enshrined in the Edo State Anti-human Trafficking Law; review the law with a view to upgrading the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT), to a commission to make it more effective in combating human trafficking in the state.

Rev. Dr. Arhedo made the call during a sensitisation rally held by the Localizing Trafficking in Persons Response Cluster anchored by Uromi JDPCI to commemorate the 2023 World Day against human trafficking.

The Uromi JDPCI is implementing the Localizing Trafficking in Persons Response as anchor under the Strengthening Civil Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Palladium and its resource partners.

Speaking during the rally which saw members of the cluster in a rally round major streets in Benin City and terminating at the press centre of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rev. Fr. Fidelis Arhedo who was represented by Mrs. Mary Ekido, the Coordinator of Girls Power Initiative (GPI), one of the cluster organisations, noted that the human trafficking business generates a whooping global profit of about 7 billion dollars annually and called for concerted effort by  governments at all levels, individuals, Churches, Civil Society Organisations, (CSOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and Traditional rulers to stem the resurgence of the menace.

While enumerating the evils of human trafficking, Fr. Arhedo pointed out that "Human trafficking is a rapidly growing criminal business, generating profits of 5-7 billion dollars annually.

"Human Trafficking Lowers a person’s self–esteem, create a feeling of shame, guilt and fear, causes Psychological Trauma including depression, Anxiety, and mental breakdown for the Victim, drug addictions, injuries, contacting of diseases and health hazards such STIs, STDs, HIV, etc and even death as well as Loss of (time, money, career, relationships, trust, etc.). 

"At the Societal Level, it creates a bad image and destroys the reputation of a country in the eyes of the world, leads to the drift of manpower, undermines the safety and security of a nation, affects the economic growth of the country, and hinders potential investors from investing in a country. It also increases the level of dependency on the State especially when Victims return broken and dejected, increases social vices (prostitution, drug abuse, armed robbery etc), and diminishes our cultural values; subjecting people to unethical behaviors and practices". 

While calling all the stakeholders to action, Rev. Arhedo pointed out that everyone is a stakeholder and outlined the roles individuals, government, traditional institutions, churches and CSOs can play to prevent human trafficking, protect victims and punish offenders - traffickers.

"Counter-trafficking activities focus on three objectives, comprising of Prevention of human trafficking, Protection of victims and Prosecution of traffickers. This principle acts as a policy framework used by governments worldwide to combat trafficking of persons. 

"Every Person has the power to help combat and prevent human trafficking, as such we all have a role to play. You can start by expanding awareness in your community by educating community members, friends, children about human trafficking and its associated ills and provide them with information on how to recognize Traffickers and signs of trafficking and where to report to? 

"Cases can be reported to law enforcement agencies, NAPTIP through the 627 Hotline, CSOs in your community and Local Government Social Welfare Departments. 

"Become a mentor to young persons because traffickers often target young persons especially those who are going through a difficult time or who lack strong support system. Teach them how to recognize traffickers and how to reach out for help. 

"Encourage youths to be involved in legal, enterprising and productive activities.Strategically identify vulnerable groups and households within your community and organize a community forum where they can be sensitized about the issues of human trafficking or conduct house to house sensitization to sensitize the concerned target for early detection of Trafficking in Persons.

"Offer support and assistance to vulnerable populations such as runaways, homeless individuals, out of school children, refugees and migrants who are at higher risk of trafficking".

While tasking the government on its role, Rev. Fr. Arhedo urged the Edo State government to establish Anti- Human Trafficking Response Units at the Local Government Level for prevention.

"The Victims of Trafficking Trust Fund is a strong and sustainable mechanism that would go a long way to aid Victims reintegration. We are thus using this medium to call on the Executive Governor of Edo State to consider the Activation of the Victims of Trafficking Trust Fund and its committee for sustained Victims’ reintegration. 

"Equip law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases. This involves training law enforcement personnel on identifying trafficking situations, gathering evidence, handling Survivors interviews sensitively and the need to end the impunity, not covering up trafficking cases.

"Control borders and immigration processes to prevent traffickers from exploiting vulnerable populations and moving across international borders. This includes screening incoming travelers and scrutinizing suspicious travel patterns. 

"Tackle the underlying factors that make individuals vulnerable to trafficking, such as poverty, lack of education, unemployment, discrimination etc, by implementing social and economic policies to address these root causes. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of their anti-trafficking efforts regularly by tracking the level of awareness campaign, the number of trafficking cases, successful prosecution and victim assistance".

Welcoming cluster members and other participants earlier, the Programme Officer, Uromi JDPCI, Dr. Mike Iyioriobhe thanked Palladium who is implementing the SCALE project and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for providing the funds for the project.

Receiving the cluster members and others who participated in the sensitisation rally, chairman of the Edo State Council of the NUJ, Comrade Festus Alenkhe thanked members of the cluster for their effort to sensitise the public on their role in preventing human trafficking and, how and where to report to in case anyone has been trafficked.

The NUJ chairman appealed to them to be orderly as they go about the campaigns and ensure it's not hijacked by hoodlums to cause havoc in the metropolis.

Members of the cluster distributed flyers with various inscriptions to members of the public as they moved round major streets in Benin City.