Sen. Biodun Olujimi has condemned the practice of trafficking Nigerians abroad for prostitution, slavery and other nefarious crimes, and called on the federal government to devise ways of saving the country from the demeaning engagement.
The Senator representing Ekiti-South Senatorial District at the Senate said thousands of Nigerians were still trapped in Europe, Asia, and other continents despite efforts of the federal government to halt the practice through agencies such as National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
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Speaking to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, in respect of the global action against trafficking in persons held on July 30, she said “Our youth, especially female, are still being lured with false and unrealistic promises to make the dangerous journeys to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, where they are subjected to gender-based violence and other forms of inhuman treatment.
“Many of our unemployed youth leave Nigeria and risk their lives in search of greener pastures in these countries, but most end up in exploitative and slavish situations.”
The lawmaker further called for vigilance and strict regulation in granting licenses for international recruitments, adding that some of the agencies masquerading as travel agencies for overseas job seekers are deceptive and do not mean well for those they recruit, especially the female folks.
