Buhari decries child trafficking, tasks states on domesticating Act

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on state governments to domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015 to check the growing incidence of child trafficking and labour in the country.

The President, who made the appeal yesterday in Abuja while launching a book, 8 Evils of Human Trafficking, written by Steve Osuji and Boniface Opute, urged the Nigerian Guild of Editors and other organisations to complement government in tackling human rights violations.

He stressed that human trafficking was one of the worst forms of slavery, adding that Nigeria had become a source, transit corridor and destination country for women and children plying the illicit trade.

Buhari said it was unacceptable for traffickers to exploit the natural quest for employment and search for better economic opportunities.

“Riding on the ignorance, insecurity, poor livelihood options, spirit of adventure, naivety and lack of education, traffickers lure unsuspecting citizens into a slave-like existence shattering their dreams of a better life,” he bemoaned.

Represented by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Alhassan, the President observed that in recognition of the fact that trafficking was largely fuelled by poverty, his administration had approved a social investment intervention to cushion the impact of the economic downturn and stimulate increased economic activities at the grassroots.

Rivers State governor, Nyeson Wike, called for collaborative efforts between government, religious and traditional leaders to bring an end to the menace.