Plateau sounds warning on surge in human trafficking incidents

The Plateau State Government has voiced its concern over the escalating cases of human trafficking, as evidenced by the recent rescue and return of three young women who were allegedly trafficked to Mali and forced into prostitution.

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These victims, who were handed over by the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation to officials of the Plateau State Liaison Office in Lagos on Sunday, will undergo rehabilitation and reintegration by the state’s Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission.

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The victims, identified as Victoria, 23, from Delta State, and Joy and Janet, both 22 and 23 respectively from Plateau State, shared their experiences of being lured with promises of legitimate employment, only to end up in sexual exploitation in Mali.

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Olivia Dazyam, the Special Adviser to the Governor Caleb Muftwang on Gender Matters and Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, expressed the state's growing worry over the menace of human trafficking, particularly among vulnerable women and children.

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According to Dazyam, many young Nigerians are being deceived by traffickers posing as recruiters and benefactors, taking advantage of those searching for better opportunities.

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Dazyam stated that the Commission is addressing these issues by protecting the human rights of its people, especially women and children, and emphasized the need for vigilance in the face of prevailing economic challenges that make many families more vulnerable to exploitation.

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She warned parents against entrusting their children to strangers, highlighting the risks of forced labour, sexual exploitation, and other forms of abuse that many victims end up facing.

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Dazyam advised parents to never hand over their children to unverified agents or strangers, as this can lead to exploitation, and emphasized that parents cannot abdicate their responsibilities.

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She commended local and international partners for their support in rescuing trafficked victims and facilitating their safe return, and also praised the Plateau State Government for prioritizing the rehabilitation and reintegration of rescued victims.

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Dazyam described human trafficking as a form of exploitation, stating that "there is nothing good about human trafficking, its sole purpose is exploitation".

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The Commission's executive secretary disclosed that rescued victims are provided with counselling, psychosocial support, and empowerment programmes to help them rebuild their lives, while efforts are ongoing to identify and prosecute traffickers and their collaborators.

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The state government has pledged to intensify public enlightenment campaigns and strengthen collaboration with security agencies, civil society organisations, and development partners to prevent more Nigerians from falling victim to human traffickers.

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Prosper Michael, the Founder of GAHTO, explained that the rescue operation began after the organisation received information from a partner in Jos regarding two young women being held in sexual captivity in Mali.

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Michael stated that details supplied by the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission enabled the organisation to establish contact with the victims and coordinate their rescue, highlighting the importance of collaboration in such efforts.

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Victoria, one of the victims, recounted her ordeal, saying she accepted an offer of employment abroad only to discover that the job was prostitution, and appealed for support to establish a business and provide a better future for her child.

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Another victim, Joy, shared her experience of being introduced to a man who promised her employment in a restaurant in Mali, only to be sold into a prostitution ring, and warned others to verify overseas job offers before embarking on such journeys.

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Janet also narrated her experience, urging Nigerian youths to investigate properly before travelling abroad, as many promised jobs are not genuine.