Enugu state government has started a clamp down on unapproved orphanage homes and brothels used as conduits for human trafficking in the state.

The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kingsley Udeh, disclosed this during an advocacy meeting he held with the Enugu Zonal Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Sam Offiah, vowed to expose and prosecute the owners of such facilities.

He reiterated his commitment to prosecute and facilitate the prosecution of human traffickers in the state, in line with Governor Peter Mbah’s mission of making Enugu the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living.

The commissioner added that the state will work with security and law enforcement agencies to stamp out human trafficking in the state.

Udeh urged NAPTIP to strengthen the State Task Force Against Human Trafficking of which he is the chairman, to deal decisively with the menace in Enugu State.

In that regard, it was resolved that relevant stakeholders shall jointly draw up an action plan to optimize the performance of the Task Force and improve outcomes, including deterring potential human traffickers and supporting the victims of human trafficking.

He maintained that the administration of Dr. Peter Mbah will not tolerate trading in human persons or human organs in any form; warning that anyone caught would be punished according to the law.

He disclosed his readiness to issue a general fiat to NAPTIP, which it earlier requested, to enable it to prosecute human traffickers under the State Law.

The NAPTIP Zonal Commander informed the Attorney-General that the agency has a shelter, where victims taken from abusive homes and brothels are kept until they are integrated back into society.

According to Offiah, sheltering victims of human trafficking is part of the agency’s mandate.

He appealed to the commissioner for Justice to assist the Agency in securing decent accommodation, as they are currently staying in a rented apartment that is inconducive and insufficient for its operations.

Offiah enumerated other challenges affecting the smooth operations of the Federal Agency in the State to include: lack of logistics (such as vehicles) and operational resources for the running of the Agency. (The Nation)