allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Minister Condemns Human Trafficking in Borno

Ahmed Mari
25 February 2010

Maiduguri — The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Jibrin Maigari has condemned human trafficking and child labour, describing it as a source of embarrassment to the country.

The minister said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff at Government House Maiduguri, recently.

He said he was in the state to launch an enlightenment campaign on eradication of human trafficking and child labour which is denting the image of country on the international scene.

Alhaji Maigari said the enlightenment campaign would be launched in the six geo-political zones of the country, adding that the choice of Borno in the North-East geo-political zone is strategic as it is the only state in the country that shares borders with three countries namely, Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

The minister said human trafficking is carried out in the name of seeking greener pastures in countries like Saudi Arabia, France, Italy, Spain USA and other developed countries.

Responding, Governor Sheriff said Borno State which shares borders with three countries serves as a gateway to human trafficking and called on security agencies in the state to be vigilant especially at the borders, which he described as being very porous.

He assured the minister that the state government will do everything possible to checkmate the activities of human traffickers and advised the public to report any suspicious movements to security agencies.

allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Minister Condemns Human Trafficking in Borno