Mr. Peter Obi, Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate in the February 25, poll, has said high level of poverty, lack of access to basic education, high unemployment rate and worsening living conditions were fuelling human trafficking in the country.
Obi in series of tweets to mark 2023 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, said:
“As we mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we remember our country men and women who against their will, have been compelled to live without human dignity and work under exploitative conditions in different countries.
“Undoubtedly, it is the high level of poverty, lack of access to basic education, high unemployment rate and worsening living conditions in our country that are the main factors fuelling human trafficking in Nigeria.
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“According to the 2023 Global Slavery Index Report, with 1.6 million trafficked persons, Nigeria ranks 38 out of the countries with the highest number of slaves in the world.
“This is a worrisome and embarrassing situation that needs to be urgently addressed.
“By investing in the three most critical areas of human development: education, health and poverty eradication, we will stamp out this societal ill.
“We stand firm in our commitment to a new nation in which the pride and dignity of our citizens are restored in a land of opportunities,” he added.
