By Osaigbovo Iguobaro Benin
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday demanded more commitment from the Federal Government and international organisations aimed at addressing the menace of human trafficking in Edo state.
This followed his findings that 65 percent of victims of human trafficking out of Nigeria were from Edo state.
Obasanjo, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Governor Obaseki at the Government House, Benin City, the Edo State Capital.
He commended the state government’s response to the worrying revelations of the sufferings of Nigerian migrants in Libya, especially youths from Edo state.
“If the governor continues along this way, he would make a lot of impact. If we have 50 per cent of our governors performing this way, then Nigeria will be on the way to achieving what God has created it to be. I have heard a lot about what he has been doing and will soon come to see them for myself.”
He noted that Governor Obaseki’s efforts to reintegrate victims of human trafficking into the society was not only laudable but needs more backing from the Federal Government and other well-meaning international development agencies.
“The assessment of the governor is that 65 percent of victims of human trafficking out of Nigeria are from this state, and he is doing something about it. This is also very heartening.”
“…The unfortunate thing is that when I was dealing with this in the past, it was mainly young girls from this state that were trafficked, but now I understand that young men are being trafficked too. This is rather unfortunate,” he said.
