The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola
The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to do all within its power to end trafficking of young vulnerable Nigerians by criminal elements to Europe for sex slavery and other illicit activities.
This is even as the British Government and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) pledged to continue to lend their support to Nigeria in combating the menace.
Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola made this known at an event held at the British High Commission to commemorate the 2021 International Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
The theme for the 2021 Commemoration is: “Victims’ Voices Lead the Way” – a theme coined to highlight the importance of victims’ experiences in combating trafficking.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Shuaib Belgore described trafficking in persons as modern day slavery which the government will strive to root out.
He commended the British Government and the IOM for the support and collaborations which they have rendered in such regard over the years.
“The government of Nigeria is determined in this effort and all our agencies and partners will continue to work hand in hand to find how to conquer this scourge,” he said.
Speaking on the theme of the Trafficking Day, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms Catriona Laing said that giving voice to victims can help prevent others from suffering what they suffered.
Ms. Laing said that there is nothing as powerful as the testimonies of people who have been victims and those who have survived trafficking.
She however pointed out that part of efforts that must be put in place to ensure that the menace was curbed was to secure convictions against the individuals and brains responsible.
The envoy said that it was also imperative victims and survivors to be treated with empathy and also to better understand the real challenges they have gone through and working with them.