Edo Govt partners NGO in campaign against human trafficking

THE Edo State Government has partnered, a Non Governmental Organisation – The Concerned Citizens of Edo State, in a campaign against human trafficking at Uromi and environs in Edo Central Senatorial District.
President of the NGO, Mr. Ogbewi Aghedo, said that the group was out to spread the message on the dangers of human trafficking, as available data has shown that the menace is endemic in Edo State, thus requiring concerted effort from all stakeholders to discourage people from thinking that illigal migration is the only way to survive.
According to him, “We are here to lend our voice with government’s campaign against illigal migration and human trafficking. Any right-thinking Edo person would not be proud of the stigma that the menace has brought to our great State. What we are here to do today is to tell the people that they should stop encouraging their wards to travel illegally; rather they should exploit the legal option.
“Our mandate is simple. We believe that government is doing a lot to discourage this trend. The people should also do their part. That is why we are pushing for people to get the message, to see that their people who they think may have crossed over to Europe, might just be suffering in Libya or are even dead.
“So this is why we are here. We have been to major markets and the densely populated parts of Uromi. This follows similar campaigns we have embarked upon in Benin City, which has changed the attitude of several people towards illegal migration.”
Some of the residents in the areas applauded the sensitisation campaign and commended government and the group for raising awareness on the menace.