Oshiomhole tell Senate say Italy must curb demand for trafficked Edo women

Senator Adams Oshiomhole don tell the Senate say Italy suppose do more to stop im citizens from dey fuel the trafficking of Nigerian women, instead of leaving Edo and Akwa Ibom to handle the problem alone.

Oshiomhole, wey represent Edo North and na former governor of Edo State, talk during Tuesday plenary. Video of the session start dey circulate online on Thursday.

He recall say he meet the Speaker of the Italian Parliament, wey he say offer technical support to Edo State to reduce the number of women wey dem dey traffic out. Oshiomhole say he reply say supply only dey because demand dey, and he urge Italy to discourage im men from patronising trafficked women.

He also talk say the women no pass through Libya but through the Italian embassy, suggesting say the destination country get duty to act.

Wetin the ambassador reportedly talk

According to Oshiomhole, when he raise the matter with the Italian ambassador, the envoy reply: “Your Excellency, I'm sorry, Italian people cannot resist Edo girls.”

Oshiomhole say im answer be say na Italian men, no be Edo communities, need reorientation. He argue say Edo and Akwa Ibom fit only make progress on the supply side if destination countries show say dem dey tackle demand.

“The law of economics na say without demand, there will be no supply,” he talk, describing trafficking as national problem, no be one for single state.

He warn say Nigeria no suppose dey seen abroad as country wey dey tolerate trafficking, and he call for action against organised groups for foreign countries wey he talk say dey back the trade in Nigerian women.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio ask Oshiomhole whether he don try find out wetin Italians dey see for Edo women. Oshiomhole talk say he no fit, adding say he be Catholic and happily married.

Why e matter

Human trafficking don long dey drain young people from Edo and other southern states, and many families dey lose contact with daughters wey dem promise work abroad. For ordinary Nigerians, the debate matter because e touch jobs, migration and the safety of young women wey dey travel on false promises.

Akpabio talk say he sign law as Akwa Ibom governor wey prescribe death penalty for kidnapping, with forfeiture and demolition of property wey dem use for the crime. He call for stronger enforcement of laws wey dey already and better rehabilitation for trafficking victims wey dey return home.

He also point to possible review of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and the Child Rights Act, 2003.

The Senate adopt recommendation to strengthen anti-trafficking laws through better enforcement and rehabilitation measures.

Wetin happen next: The push now move to enforcement and possible amendments to the 2015 trafficking law. The sources no talk when any review go start or whether Italy don respond to the Senate call.