The Lagos State Government has inaugurated a Task Force on Human Trafficking, charged with curbing the menace of human trafficking and irregular migration in the state.
The Task Force is chaired by the State’s Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN).
Speaking during the inauguration at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu called on the 20-member committee to see their appointment as a call to service, charging them to come up with ideas, innovations and policies that would assist the state government in curbing the menace of human trafficking.
He pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed and worsened many global inequalities and plunged many economies into recession, the Governor stated that this has left millions of people at greater risks of being trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced marriages and other crimes.
“What this implies is that the pandemic has created more economic difficulties for many, especially women, young ladies and children, who are the most vulnerable and may become exposed to the perils of human trafficking in a bid to seek better lives.
“In view of this, I strongly believe that this initiative of constituting state task forces on human trafficking could not have come at a better time than now when it is needed more than ever.
“We need to put human dignity and human rights at the forefront and governments across all levels need to join hands and make collaborative efforts to put an end to the scourge of human trafficking.
“The government and people of Lagos state must understand the value of partnership as an inestimable tool in combating the transnational organised crime of human trafficking.
“As a result, we use this opportunity to assure you of our unwavering support, collaboration and strong partnership in providing all that is needed to ensure we bring an end to the menace of human trafficking in our society.
READ ALSO: French Open To Allow 11,500 Fans Daily In 3 Show Courts
“Everyday, in every country of the world, at least a person is reported of being a victim of human trafficking, while several other cases go either unnoticed or unreported.
“Unfortunately, human trafficking has now become that bitter bile that is not felt by the victims alone, but rather affects humanity in general, as it encroaches on our right and dignity as a people,” the Governor said.
He commended the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for its untiring efforts in the fight against human trafficking, irregular migration and
assistance to human trafficking victims.
“I must applaud you for this brilliant idea of re-constituting the State Working Groups on Human Trafficking into State Task Forces that will be equipped with the requisite skills and technical support to provide a platform to articulate and consolidate our government’s policies and programmes aimed at countering the terrible scourge of human trafficking,” Sanwo-Olu added.
In her address, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, noted that the state task forces on human trafficking had a key role to play in ensuring adequate sensitisation at the grassroots and among vulnerable groups.
She said that the task force was to provide services and support to victims who had been rescued and returned, as well as information sharing and law enforcement.
The NAPTIP boss commended Gov. Sanwo-Olu and members of his cabinet for partnering with her agency to stem the tide of the twin evils of human trafficking and irregular migration in Lagos state and the country.
Also speaking at the inauguration, the Counter Trafficking Officer of International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Bertha Ngurulu, observed that migration was not a problem to be solved but a reality to be managed.
She, therefore, promised continued partnership with federal and state governments in facilitating humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all.
Lagos State Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), who Chairs the Task Force on Human Trafficking, assured that the team would work tirelessly to fight the pandemic and ensure that people felt the impact of the taskforce in the state.
Members of the task force are drawn from security agencies, government agencies, civil society and community-based groups.
They include the Chairman, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) representing Lagos State Ministry of Justice; Co-chairman, Mr. Daniel Atokolo (NAPTIP) Mrs. Olufusayo Alabi (Ministry of Women and Poverty Alleviation), ACP Oladotun Odubona and CSP Ighodalo Margaret (Police).
Other are: Mrs. Toyin Odusanya (Citizens Rights), Rev. Sr. Patricia Ebegbulem (Bakhita Safe House), Mr. Adegboyega Bajulaiye (Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, LSNC), and Dr Iyabo Ogundiran (Legal Hub on Anti-Trafficking), John Deborah Chigozie (Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC), and Mrs. Ogunluyi Titilope (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA).
