By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State government and Adinya Arise Foundation/Countering Trafficking In Persons, CTIP, Commission cluster funded by USAID have jointly launched a Hashtag campaign ‘United against Trafficking, and also inaugurated the steering committee of ‘Save The Benue Child ‘ to end human trafficking in the state.

Speaking at the event in Makurdi, Governor Hyacinth Alia who reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protecting the Benue child highlighted the numerous cases the government had discovered and intercepted and stressed the importance of a legislation to combat trafficking in the state.

Represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim who doubles as the State Chairman of Benue Taskforce on Human Trafficking, the Governor assured that his administration was at the verge of sending a bill to the State House of Assembly for a legislation that would help tackle the menace of trafficking in the state.

While promising that his administration would partner all relevant stakeholders and Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, to end the illicit trade, the Governor said “Save the Benue Child project is not just a response to these challenges but also a commitment to action. Our goal is to create a comprehensive support system that addresses the needs of these children holistically.

“We will focus on improving access to quality education, ensuring health and nutrition, identifying and rescuing child victims of human trafficking, child exploitation, sexual abuse, providing support services for vulnerable rescued children, prosecuting perpetrators and holding them accountable, raising awareness and sensitizing communities on human trafficking and child exploitation and providing the necessary support to safeguard their wellbeing.”

Earlier, the Executive Director, Adinya Arise Foundation, the anchor Organization of USAID Palladium SCALE CTIP Cluster, Mrs. Mabel Ade, who reiterated the importance of partnerships in the fight against human trafficking noted that “it is a collective battle. It cannot be fought or won by any single entity; it demands a concerted effort from all sectors of society.”

She said her organization was dedicated to advocating for strong legislation against trafficking with an objective to “transit the existing Taskforce on Human Trafficking into a fully-fledged CTIP Commission, supported by adequate budgetary allocations.

“The Commission will not replace or create a parallel body to the Taskforce but will lend essential support to its ongoing efforts, ensuring that our interventions are effective and far-reaching.”

According to her the objectives of the hashtag #United Against Trafficking” was to foster partnership, raise awareness and build capacity as well as encourage collective responsibility in protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children.

The Zonal Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs Gloria Bai, who is also the co-chairman of the “Benue Taskforce on Human Trafficking” lamented that Benue was at the top of the chart of human trafficking which should be fought against by all to end the menace in the state.

The Director General, Bureau for International Cooperation and Development, BIDC, Leo-Angelo Viashima who noted the commitment of Governor Alia to ending trafficking and exploitation of the Benue child expressed joy over the inauguration of the committee assuring that his  Bureau would join forces with all partners in the quest to save the Benue child.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) Steve Ayodele represented by the Route Commander and Desk Officer for Anti Trafficking, Monday Olofu, who pointed out that trafficking in person would not be possible without the use of the roads assured that the command would give total support to the campaign to ensure its success.

The State Chairman of Benue Non-Governmental Organisations Network, BENGONET,  Mr. Lazarus Mom said all hands would be on deck to support the fight against trafficking in the state.