A Crow Against Human Trafficking -By Edikan Ekanem

Joseph was hated by his brothers for no just reason. He was
envied to the extent that a plan to dispense of his presence by
killing him was concluded among his brothers and the strategy to
achieve this mischievous plan was set up.

When the golden opportunity arose for them to execute their bad
wishes against Joseph, one of the conspirators brought up the idea
of selling him out than killing him which they imbibed and did just
so. Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver to Ishmaelite merchants
who later took Joseph into Egypt to slave for his new master. Do we
think Almighty God was pleased? Certainly not.

What befell Joseph above is an excellent illustration of human
trafficking. Most times but not always, two parties are involved in
human trafficking: the trafficker and the victim who is always
transferred from one hand to the other. In some cases, third party
who always mediates between the parties does exist.

It should however be borne in mind that it is not in all cases
of trafficking that money is used as consideration, false promise
like good job offer may also serve as consideration. Abduction,
fraud, deception, abuse of power or position of vulnerability can
also serve as the nucleus of trafficking. Deductively, it is
permissible to say that trafficking can even be consensual.

As a prologue to the written advocacy against traffic in
persons, this work will expound on the generic description of human
trafficking, the activities that constitute same, and succinctly
elucidate on its ills as its thrust.

For clarity, the English Online Dictionary defines “Trafficking”
as the exploitative movement of people across borders. As a
condition precedent, for there to be human trafficking, there must
be “movement” of the victim with a negative intention from one
place to another.

According to Wikipedia, “human trafficking is the trade of
humans for the purpose of forced labour, sexual slavery, or
commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others. This
may encompass providing a spouse in the context of forced marriage,
or the extraction of organs or tissues, including for surrogacy and
ova removal”.

Legally speaking, section 13 of Trafficking in Persons
(Prohibition, Enforcement and Administration) Act 2015 generally
frowns at the traffic of persons and criminalises it along with
other acts of aiding or procuring. Section 13 (2) of the
aforementioned Act describe acts that amount to trafficking in the
eyes of the law. It states as follows:

Any person who recruits, transports, transfer,
harbours, or receives another person by means of-

(a) Threat or use of force or other form of coercion;

(b) Abduction, fraud deception, abuse of power or position of
vulnerability; or

(c) giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the
consent of a person having control over another person, for the
purpose of exploitation of the person, commits an offence and is
liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than
two years and a fine of not less than N250,000.00.

From the above, trafficking is an offence which is punishable by
law in the Nigerian legal system. This offence robs the victim of
his dignity, integrity and respect. Frustrations, disappointments
and traumata cannot be separated from the victims and even the
family members at large, it is hazardous and disheartening.

It is immaterial that the victim consented to such exploitative
movement if the consent was obtained by force, coercion or by
fraud. It is also porous canvassing that the consent was freely
obtained when such movement itself is predicated on fraud and
deception, it still amounts to traffic in person and the ambient of
this law will be used against the perpetrator.

From all ramifications, human trafficking is an offence in law
and a sin against humanity. It is legally wrong and morally bad. It
is clear breach of natural rights that were given to us by our
creator and such practices should be abhorred and should not in any
way be accommodated or concealed covertly in the human society.

More so, traffic in persons is a clear violation of Fundamental
Rights under Section 34, 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the
Federal of Nigeria as amended, which provide for the right to
dignity of human person, personal liberty, freedom of movement,
which victims can seek redress, claiming damages accordingly in
court competent jurisdiction for such breaches notwithstanding the
fact that the state will prosecute the perpetrators for the alleged
offence.

Under this catastrophic economy, Nigerians are groping for
greener pastures within and outside the country, unfortunately
luring many into this trap of trafficking. Many of our ladies are
subjected to sexual exploitations and inhumane treatments by
traffickers. One need to be careful not to fall into this deadly
snare.

Dear parents, be careful on whom you give your child to live
with. Inquire on the needed assistance that your child will render
to your extended relative before letting go to reside with him. Do
not relax at home believing that all is well, pay reasonable visits
to know the living condition of your child which will help you
discern whether or not he is abused.

Fellow Nigerians, if you see something, say something. Keep on
the watch at all time, do not conceal this evil; raise alarm to
save a victim today. Injury to one is injury to all. With our
collective efforts, this menace can be curbed if an attempt to
exterminate is unrealised.

May this article serve as a wakeup call to all, as a guide on
knowing who to follow and where to follow to, which job offer to
accept and which to turn down, when to raise alarm for help and the
how to go about doing same.

“The shrewd one sees the danger and conceals him, but the
inexperienced keep right on going and suffer the consequences”-
Proverbs 22:8

While we hope to propagate and publish a work on practical ways
of tackling and combating this menace, the institutional and legal
framework, the legal procedures to follow in fighting traffic in
persons , may we be vigilant not to fall into this trap and always
be ready to help in saving victims out of this predicament.

Join Devatop Centre for Africa Development and National Agency
for Prohibitions of traffic in persons (NAPTIP) in saying “no to
human trafficking”, injury to one is injury to all.

Edikan Ekanem is a columnist on contemporary
issues and a voice4victims of human trafficking. He can be reached
at 08130015006 or eddy4jah@gmail.com.