NGOs move against irregular migration, human trafficking in Edo

Ruthchild Foundation, in collaboration with the Initiative for Youth Awareness on Migration Immigration Development and Reintegration (IYAMIDR) yesterday, intensified its campaign on irregular migration and human trafficking among youths in Edo State.

Coordinator and Executive Director of IYAMIDR, Solomon Okoduwa, said they were revisiting schools to intensify the campaign against human trafficking and irregular migration.

He explained that the visit to schools in Benin City and its environs was part of their back-to-school campaign against irregular migration and human trafficking.

He stressed that those who engage in the illicit acts usually take advantage of the students’ ignorance to traffic them abroad for prostitution and other unwholesome undertakings.

Okoduwa, who addressed students of Ogbe Senior Secondary in Benin City, urged them to be mindful of offers from relatives and religious leaders, who might lure them with empty promises in the guise of providing them greener pastures abroad.

The former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Anti-Human Trafficking Issues encouraged the students to remain focused and committed to their studies as future leaders of the country.

“Many youths have died on their way to Europe through either land or sea and at times their vital organs were harvested on their way abroad.

“Travelling to Europe is not entirely evil, but if you must travel overseas, it must be done the right way. Be suspicious, when they begin to tell you not to tell anyone about it, let them know once you get there, or when they begin to shower you with gifts.

“The madams, who traffic in person could use your parents or close relatives as well as religious leaders to speak to you.

“Beware of their promises of greener pastures abroad, don’t hesitate to report them to your teachers, the police and Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to take appropriate actions,” he said.

On his part, Executive Director of Ruthchild Foundation, Stephen Adigun, said they would continue to partner with NGOs and relevant government agencies to address human trafficking and encourage skills that would enhance productivity of the youths to rebuild post-COVID-19 economy.

Also, a former President of JCI Benin Metro, Osaro Iyamu, urged the male students to desist from all social vices capable of truncating their future and cautioned them against involving in advanced fee fraud and Internet fraud, also called yahoo yahoo.