Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has called for a stiffer punishment on human traffickers, especially cartels propagating the dastardly act.

Obaseki made this call on Saturday in commemoration of the World Day for International Justice by the United Nations.

He believes that if the International Criminal Court metes out appropriate sanctions on perpetrators of human trafficking, the menace of illegal migration will be reduced to the barest minimum.

“As countries and sub-national actors work towards curbing human trafficking and illegal migration, it is important to stress that there is an international angle to the campaign due to the extensive network of the perpetrators of the act.

“So, we need stiffer measures and a more holistic approach to mitigating the menace,” he said while decrying the rate of illegal migration.

While reiterating his administration’s commitment to effectively address the situation, the governor recalled that his state has enacted the “Edo State Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Law (2018) and the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT).”

Obaseki noted that these laws, coupled with Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and the Child Rights Law are “legal instruments that underpin our commitment to protect our people and rid the state of tyranny against vulnerable persons.”

He wants the ICC to investigate the activities of cartels who exploit unsuspecting people by leading them into what can best be described as modern-day slavery.

In doing so, he expressed the readiness of the state government to partner the ICC and other international agencies in the fight against human trafficking. (Channels TV)