Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano has inaugurated a Taskforce on Human Trafficking.
Performing the inauguration at the Government House,
Awka, Governor Obiano represented by the Secretary to the state Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, described Human Trafficking as a serious challenge, adding that the state is aware of its implications.
The Governor said for the past three years indigenes of Anambra repatriated from various parts of the world were give required Support through the Ministry
of Social Welfare, while assuring that the Taskforce would be given necessary support to succeed in their assignment.
In her address, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, said out
of five hundred and twenty-eight indigenes of Anambra state rescued by NAPTIP
between 2004 and July, this year, four hundred and twenty six were women, while one hundred and two were men.
The NAPTIP Boss revealed that the rescued persons were from council areas including Onitsha North and South, Anambra East, Anaocha, Awka North and South, Idemili North and South.
According to her, rescued persons were subjected to child labour, domestic servitude, recruitment for Foreign travel, sexual exploitation and sale of Babies.
Dame Okah-Donli said report emerged about the existence of Human Farms in some parts of Libya, where Black African Migrants were in Cages like animals and their Organs like eyes, kidneys and lungs are harvested to service the Medical needs of such countries.
She stressed that Anambra State Taskforce on Human Trafficking has a pivotal role to play in ensuring that adequate sensitization is carried out at the grassroot and among vulnerable groups to educate them on the consequences of seeking illegal migration.
Also speaking the protection Officer, International Organisation for Migration
(IOM) Mrs. Ruth Mbugua, said her organisation returned thirty four indigenes of the state from Libya, Mali, Niger, middle East and parts of Europe.
In a vote of thanks, the State Attorney-General and
Commissioner for Justice Dr. Uju Nwogu, represented by Director of Litigations,
Mrs. Ngozi Iwuno, expressed the readiness of her ministry to prosecute offenders of human trafficking, adding that a team of seasoned lawyers have been
entrusted with the responsibility.
Members of Anambra state Taskforce: Dr. Uju
Nwogu (Chairman), Mrs Comfort Agboko, NAPTIP Commander in Charge of
Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi States (Vice Chairman). Representatives of youths
and women, Leaders of Five NGOS, Representatives of security operatives and
para military organisations in the state, as well as Mr. Nwabufo Nwankwo, office of the S.S.G.
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