By Charles Igwe
Several Catholic groups have joined forces to combat the scourge of human trafficking in Nigeria by raising awareness and providing vocational training. Among these organizations are the Justice Development and Peace Centre in the Benin Archdiocese, the Bishops’ Conference of Italy, the Salesians of Don Bosco, Jesuit Refugee Service, Caritas Nigeria, and the Patriotic Citizen Initiatives group.
Fr. Benedict Onwugbenu, the executive director of the Justice Development and Peace Centre, highlighted the deceptive allure of dangerous migration routes to Europe. He emphasized how individuals, enticed by vague promises of a better life, fall prey to human smugglers.
“Parents often push their children into such perilous journeys, viewing migration as the only hope for a brighter future,” said Father Onwugbenu. “Some even resort to selling their lands to finance their children’s journeys, seeing them as the family’s sole source of salvation. Those who resist are often ostracized.”
Through the Catholic initiative, approximately 167 individuals have received skills training, while 100 families have been supported in establishing small-scale businesses to provide for their children’s needs.
Osita Osemene, the executive director of the Patriotic Citizen Initiatives, acknowledged the challenges in combating human trafficking, noting the traffickers’ sophisticated operations and global networks.
“While our efforts have made strides, human traffickers remain one step ahead, adapting their tactics to evade detection,” Osemene remarked. “Their focus has shifted to other regions like Asia, where they exploit vulnerable individuals, particularly young girls, for forced prostitution.”
Despite the ongoing battle against human trafficking, collaboration among Catholic organizations continues to provide essential support and resources to combat this grave injustice.
