Human Trafficking: Immigration Operatives Intercept Vehicle Conveying Underage Children
Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Thursday, July 21st, 2016
By IGNATIUS OKPARA
ABAKALIKI NIGERIA, (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Ebonyi state Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, has intercepted an Edo state bound 18-seater bus conveying suspected victims of human trafficking, who are mostly underage children.
According to the agency, the bus took off from Bekwara in Cross River state en-route Edo state, South-South Nigeria, before it was intercepted.
Barrister Okey Ezugwu, the Ebonyi State Acting Comptroller of NIS, who confirmed this to newsmen in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital Thursday, hinted that the bus with registration number Lagos LDD-468XH with the emblem of ‘Ondo State Sunshine Express’ boldly written on it had a total of 18 passengers, including teenagers travelling in it when it was intercepted.
He said that upon interrogation, the victims reported that they were going to Ondo state, while some were sent to Benin to work in a Cocoa plantation.
The NIS officer, made it clear that human trafficking was a violation and an abuse of child rights for minors.
He, however, expressed worry at the inhumane treatment the victims would have been subjected to working on a cocoa farm. Ezugwu added that the children had no business embarking on such trip without being escorted by their parents.
He, therefore, enjoined parents and guardians to refrain from the terrible habit of releasing their children or wards to strangers for financial and material benefits
He said necessary measure would be taken to apprehend the person behind the illicit act.
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