The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has said 17,443 trafficked persons have been rescued since the agency began operation in 2003.
The Benin Zonal Commander of the agency, Nduka Nwannwenne, stated this on Thursday at a sensitisation programme in Ologbo, in the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
He noted that 502 persons were convicted within the same period.
Nwannwenne said the advocacy programme was to seek the collaboration of traditional institutions in combating the scourge of human trafficking in the state and across the country.
He said, “Traffickers go to their victims with the deception that Europe or their destination is where you pick money on the streets, only for them to end up being used as slaves, prostitutes or drug peddlers.
“It will interest you to know that the victims do not benefit from this menace as much as the traffickers. This is why we have come to our traditional rulers and parents to let you know that we must all come together to stop this menace. Let’s spread the news against human trafficking in our communities.”
Nwannwenne noted that 20 states, including Edo, had set up task forces against human trafficking and illegal migration.
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