The Kwara State Taskforce on Human Trafficking has threatened to take decisive action against offenders, stating that the state government is determined to curb this menace within the state.
In a statement aimed at educating the public about this issue, the Attorney General and the State Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim Sulyman Esq., who also serves as the Chairman of the Taskforce, emphasized that ignorance of the law is not a defense.
He therefore warned the public to be law-abiding.
The Attorney General explained that offenses related to human trafficking begin with abduction or recruitment, leading to the transportation and entry of individuals into another location.
“This is followed by the exploitation phase, during which the victim is forced into sexual or labor servitude and other forms of exploitation,” he said.
Senior Sulyman urged the public to remain vigilant, adding that “anyone who witnesses or suspects human trafficking, or who is personally being trafficked, should call the toll-free multilingual 24-hour National Human Trafficking Resource Center & Hotline at 627.
Members of the public can also visit the Kwara State Ministry of Justice, Room 151, to seek help for victims and survivors of human trafficking, or connect with local services that are available 24/7.”
“Trafficking in persons should be understood as a process rather than a single offense. During the trafficking process, offenders typically perpetrate a variety of offenses.
There may be links between trafficking operations and other criminal activities, such as the smuggling of weapons or drugs. Additional crimes, such as money laundering and tax evasion, may also be committed to protect the illicit proceeds of trafficking activities,” the Commissioner explained.
According to him, “offenses are committed at various stages of the trafficking process, including: recruitment, transportation and entry, and exploitation.
Others include document forgery, unlawful coercion, money laundering, fraudulent promises, immigration law abuse, threats, tax evasion, kidnapping, corruption of officials, extortion, false consent from a parent or guardian of a child, damage to property, false imprisonment, intimidation or subversion of officials, and recruitment of individuals lacking the capacity to consent, along with the withholding of documents, procurement, theft of documents, sexual assault, aggravated assault, rape, death, forced abortion, torture, and more.”
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“In trafficking offenses, other crimes may be committed to coerce victims into compliance, maintain control, protect trafficking operations, or maximize profits. Victims may face threats, physical and sexual violence, or other mistreatment.
Their passports and other vital documents may be confiscated, and they may be forced to work without payment, often in unpleasant, dangerous, or illegal occupations in the state where they are carried out, such as prostitution, pornography, and trafficking in illicit commodities like narcotic drugs.
In addition to offenses committed against victims, former victims who assist authorities may face threats or retaliatory violence, and public officials may be subjected to corruption, threats, or both.
Prosecution of individuals for additional or overlapping offenses may also be useful in demonstrating to the courts the serious nature of a particular trafficking operation,” he added.
The statement further stressed that the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 (TIPPEA Act) will be fully examined in the next publication.
The statement urged everyone to comply with the law and support government efforts to eradicate all forms of human trafficking in Kwara State and Nigeria as a whole.