Devatop Centre for African Development (DCAD), an NGO, has called on religious and traditional rulers to sensitise their wards on the dangers of human trafficking and irregular migration for sustainable development.
Mr Joseph Osuigwe, the Executive Director of the organisation, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja, during a panel debate on human trafficking in Nigeria.
According to him, their was need for for adequate sensitisation and awareness at the grassroot on human trafficking and irregular migration to curb the menace in the country.
The executive director revealed that victims of human trafficking were often forced into prostitution, pornography, child labour, suicide bombing and ritual activities in other countries.
He said human trafficking has contributed in great measures to the ongoing humanitarian crisis around the globe, hence the need for adequate sensitisation and awareness to curb the menace.
“Nigeria has become a fertile ground for human trafficking with the highest number of victims, due to lack of social protection for those living in poverty.
“Human trafficking seems to concern only civil society organisations, may be because political leaders feel it does not affect them directly.
“So, I call on traditional and religious leaders in the country on the need to talk to their wards on the dangers of human trafficking and illegal migration.
“The government should also put up good laws that will prohibit and if possible bring trafficking to a complete end,” he said.
The director urged government and civil society organisations to tackle the seemingly endless losses of Nigerian lives caused by irregular illicit migration, calling for a political commitment to end it.
“From what is happening, human trafficking has become an endemic problem in Nigeria, the rich are not totally exempted from the negative impact of this outbreak if not checked.
“It has become important to curb the activities of persons engaged in the illicit and irregular migration business,” Osuigwe said.
The director, however, advised youths in the country to desist from any act that would warrant them being trafficked or lured into prostitution and other crimes.
Osuigwe also urged the National Assembly to support the call enacting tougher laws against human trafficking in the country. (NAN)
