Human trafficking: Obaseki, religious leaders move against illicit trade cartel

By Simon Ebegbulem, Benin City RELIGIOUS leaders in Edo State in conjunction with the state government and non governmental organizations, yesterday, brainstormed on how to end the scourge of human trafficking in the state. The meeting was attended by Governor Godwin Obaseki, prominent clergymen including the Catholic Archbishop of Benin Metropolitan See, Most Rev. Augustine Akubueze and Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter, Bishop Oriame Oyonude Kure, among others.

The clergymen prayed fervently for God to arrest the lives of the perpetrators of human trafficking in the state just as they appealed to the international community to come to the aid of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (3rd from right); Chairman, Church Council, Christ Chosen Church of God Worldwide, Most Rev. Joshua Osasuyi (extreme right); Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Edo State Chapter, Oriname Oyonnude Kure (2nd from right); Apostle Heyford Ikponmwosa Alile (left, front row); Archbishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Benin, Most Rev. Augustine Akubueze (2nd left, front row); Commissioner for Justice and Chairperson, Edo State Task Force on Human Trafficking, Hon. Prof. Mrs. Yinka Omorogbe (left, back row); Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Akerele (2nd from left, back row) at the meeting yesterday.