The Delta State Government is currently prosecuting more than 15 human trafficking cases at the state High Court. The move is aimed at tackling the exploitation of citizens through irregular migration schemes and fake overseas job offers, according to Punch.
The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, made this known during an awareness campaign held on Thursday in Agbor, within the Ika South Local Government Area. Ohwovoriole, who heads the Delta State Task Force Against Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration, stated that the Department of Public Prosecutions is trying the cases under the Delta State Human Trafficking (Prohibition) Law, 2024.
According to Ohwovoriole, the legislation was signed by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to tighten the state’s enforcement mechanism and bring offenders to justice. He also noted that the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons is pursuing related cases at the Federal High Courts across the state.
Ohwovoriole explained that trafficking syndicates increasingly rely on online platforms, deceptive recruitment listings and claims of lucrative foreign work to deceive residents. He stated that law enforcement bodies and the judiciary are coordinating to take down these operations, free victims and penalise perpetrators, while urging the public to report any suspicious activities.
Representing NAPTIP Zonal Commander Stephen Selowo, Sam Offiah said educated youth and citizens wanting to travel abroad face huge risks from syndicates pretending to be authentic recruitment firms. Offiah noted that the popular "japa" drive becomes dangerous when intense ambition turns into desperation, leaving individuals open to severe exploitation.
Secretary of the state task force, Ijeoma Nwanze, labelled human trafficking as modern slavery and asked communities to spread awareness against fraudulent agents. She explained that trafficking cases hinge on elements such as movement, deception, force, exploitation, and financial transactions used to control vulnerable victims.
Delta State launched its anti-trafficking task force in March 2019, followed by the rollout of an Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in the Ministry of Justice in October 2021 to manage awareness, prosecutions and support services.
