American, Nigerian NGOs Collaborate against Human Trafficking, Sex Slavery

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

Nigeria-based Non-governmental organisation (NGO), Complete Care and Aid Foundation is collaborating with an American organisation, Freedom’s Shield to arrest the growing trend of human trafficking and sex slavery many Nigerians are forced into.

Representatives of the American organisation, Bob Kent and Hazim Alasad at the weekend during the signing of agreement with the Nigerian organisation owned by Aisha Wakil, popularly called Mama Boko Haram, lamented that “ignorance is the major factor of human trafficking and prostitution continue to thrive in Nigeria. “ Kent, who spoke to journalists after the agreement was reached with the Nigerian NGO, said: “The women never knew they were entering into prostitution.”

He equally said the harsh economy has left many Nigerians to believe that great opportunities exist outside of their native land.

He said: “The economy is equally making many to think that there are better opportunities outside of their country. We will try as much as possible to get them away from their traffickers and enlighten them and try to raise fund for them in Nigeria or in other parts of the world.”

Aisha Wakil, on her part, said “human trafficking and sex slavery are part of the ills that is threatening to take over the country, we are planning to fight this by providing skill acquisition training.”

She lamented that: “Ignorance, greed, lack of job to do contribute to the problem, but I always advise people to make their bed well in order to lay peacefully on it. If you cannot make it here, is it outside the country with the numerous challenges and without the assistance of a close family that you are going to make it?

She said: “All you need here is determination, you can make it here if you are determined. There are great opportunities in Nigeria to make it. Stay back at home and make it, if all of us travel out abroad, our land will be empty.”

At the fund raising for N500 million Northeast humanitarian intervention, Wakil also said she won’t be tried of negotiation for the release of the abducted girls until the last of the girls is released.

She told journalists that “no one likes the life of fugitives, always running from being caught by agent of government and the insurgents after about a decade living in isolation, would like to be reunited back with the society.”

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