The United State’s chargé d’ affaires, David Young, has commended the Edo State government for its anti-trafficking model and has pledged the US mission’s commitment to expanding the scope of collaboration with Edo and other states that serve as a source or transit point for human trafficking.
Young visited Philip Shuaibu, deputy governor of Edo State on Tuesday and met with government leaders, traditional rulers and civil society representatives with a view to understanding the socio-economic factors that perpetuate trafficking in persons in the state and the multi-faceted efforts being used to eradicate it.
Speaking during the visit to the Government House in Benin City, Young said, “We are pleased with the important progress that has been made to combat trafficking persons in Edo State, through the Three Ps: Prevention, Protection and Prosecution of those individuals involved in human trafficking. This is one of the issues the U.S. government is focused on, as it is a horrific crime and we recognise its long-term effects on people who are trafficked to other countries.”
At the palace of the Oba of Benin, where he had an audience with Oba Ewuare II, Young emphasised the pivotal role of traditional institutions in eliminating the scourge of human smuggling, and lauded the monarch’s leadership and direct involvement in the crusade to end trafficking in the state.
“We note that the Benin monarchy has taken the lead in state-wide efforts to prevent young people from being trafficked. Survivors with whom we have interacted confirm that the King’s nullification last year of all oaths sworn by trafficking victims had a remarkable impact, by neutralising the psychological hold of the trafficking syndicates and encouraging survivors to return home. This, in addition to the laudable efforts of the Oba Ewuare II Foundation, continues to bring freedom to many,” he noted.
Young met trafficking survivors at Idia Renaissance Centre, a non-government organisation focused on ending human trafficking in Edo State. He also participated in a roundtable discussion on trafficking and illegal migration with representatives of the Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking.
