By Adedapo Adesanya
The Benin Zonal office of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has decried the use of technologies like social media to lure trafficked victims across the country.
The NAPTIP Zonal Commander in charge of Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa, Mr Nduka Nwanwenne, said this at a road walk to celebrate the 2022 World Day Against Human Trafficking in Benin on Saturday.
Mr Nwanwenne said that the theme for the 2022 Human Trafficking Day, Use and Abuse of Technology, was apt as the current digital age has upgraded the way traffickers operate in the country.
He said: “Traffickers no longer go to houses to lure victims, they now deploy the use of technology through the various social media platforms.
“So, people need to be careful and vigilant as traffickers now use job opportunities and scholarship offers abroad to lure their victims.
“We need the collaboration of all stakeholders as NAPTIP can’t do it alone.”
The zonal commander said that in spite of the negative use of technology in the facilitation of trafficking, it was also being used to create awareness and rescue victims.
He said that the Benin zonal office had rescued about three thousand victims and secured the conviction of 80 people since its establishment in the state.
On her part, Mrs Itohan Okungbowa, Secretary, Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking, said that the state government was doing a lot in recent times to cushion the effect of the economic crisis on youths.
She said: “The governor is doing a lot, both at the local and international levels to grow the state economy as well as keep youths engaged.
“There is currently a PPP arrangement to build the capacity of youths in furniture work in the state as well as other skill opportunities.”
