HUMAN TRAFFICKING- A CRIME EXACERBATED BY POVERTY

July 30th 2019 was celebrated globally as World Day against Trafficking in Persons with promises by local and global actors in creating and ensuring sustainable mechanisms in tackling Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants which has left able bodied youths either languishing in a disreputable prison in Libya or perished in the Mediterranean Sea. Described as a crime which violates the human rights of victims, Human Trafficking is one of the world’s nefarious crimes with profits in billions of dollars. However, the pull factors responsible for human trafficking are linked to Government at all levels malfeasance to provide the simple needs of her citizens.

Nigeria would continue to be a source country for human trafficking and vibrant youths would never cease to be susceptible to human trafficking if they do not have opportunities to move their lives in a secured  direction. The onus lies on the Government to critically address poverty particularly in rural communities  as well as  channel the nation’s huge resources in the right directions for even generations yet unborn to benefit only when this is done will young people stop  risking their lives to take a boat to Europe. Hence, the need to critically address and begin to implement the 2019 theme- ‘Call your Government to Action’.