Posted by By Juliana Francis on
Immigration officials have announced that the largest number of people running overseas in search of greener pastures are Edo State indigenes.
Immigration officials have announced that the largest number of people running overseas in search of greener pastures are Edo State indigenes.
According to the Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration, Zone ‘A', Alagbon, Mr. Eluwa, between January and May, 2005, more than 70 suspected human trafficking victims were refused departure at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, on grounds of " fake and transplanted travel documents. Regrettably, over 90 per cent of the victims are of Edo extraction, weaving stories of poverty in Nigeria and promised jobs in Europe. Some of these cases are too pathetic and worrisome to be recounted because of our image as a nation. This is, to my mind, the area where the media have a great role to play in enlightening our people, especially those in the rural areas on the dangers of releasing their wards to traffickers who may be promising mouth- watering benefits in Europe and other foreign countries."
Eluwa said about two weeks ago, an 11-year-old girl, identified as Adeosun Modina was returned from Britain, having been held by the British welfare officers for a period of two months. Modina claimed to have travelled in with a woman described as her mother's friend. The immigration officer revealed that since the beginning of this year, many people have been arrested, believed to be victims of human trafficking. Citing examples, he said: 'On March 14, four persons claiming to belong to one Eletu Odibo family were arrested after having surreptitiously checked into the boarding area of Air Afrique with falsified and uncleared travel documents. On March, 28, Miss Josephine Odeh and Mr. A.V. Anana were intercepted while trying to board Air Afrique with uncleared and falsified documents.
" Similarly on April, 5, a 17-year-old girl, Jennifer Baker was arrested at the ‘D' arrival wing with a forged British passport belonging to one Olubunmi Adenike. She confessed to have spent over N800, 000.00 to procure her travel documents and other expenses from a human trafficker who transacted the business on phones with different numbers. Again on April, 19, five suspected victims of human trafficking who were promised lucrative jobs in Spain were refused departure they all had in their possessions forged travel documents. On May 13, seven suspected victims were arrested in their bid to travel out without Immigration clearance and genuine documents. They claimed to have been promised jobs and marriage in Greece."
Daily Sun gathered that recently, the latest returnee was one Mr. Wilberforce Ugele, who claimed Edo State and attempted to enter Europe with a substituted passport belonging to one Mr. Emeka Kemis Ugorji from Imo State. Ugele said he spent close to N1 million to procure the said travel documents from Mr. Urgoji.
Ugele said: "It was one Tony that I gave money to prepare the passport for me. I met him through Chinwe, my friend. I was arrested in Paris but my destination was supposed to be Italy. Though I gave him much money, the one I gave him in bulk was N760, 000. All the time that we discussed about my travel, it was at Excellence Hotel in Ogba, that I always met Tony."
Ugele told Immigration that he was not aware that using a passport that has another person's name was an offence. He vowed to assist the officials' track down Tony.
Eluwa called for a concerted networking of ideas and efforts by all agencies concerned if the war against human trafficking must be fought and won.