HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND MODERN SLAVERY: HOPE REKINDLED FOR MS. OMOLOLA AJAYI

The name, Omolola Ajayi will ring bell quickly, as she is the 23 year old Nigeria whose video went viral on social media crying for help from a slave camp in Lebanon. A case of human trafficking and modern slavery.

Remember, this attracted the attention of Nigerian Government via The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Kwara State Government.

The good news is that Ms Omolola Ajayi is now in a safe hand of the Nigerian Ambassador in Beirut, Lebanon.

Read: A NIGERIAN LADY DECEIVED INTO SLAVERY IN LEBANON CRIED FOR HELP

Earlier in a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, he reiterated the commitment of Governor Abdurahman AbdulRazaq not to condole the inhumane trend of trafficking.

In the tweet that appeared on his official twitter account – @rafiuajakaye, he confirmed the arrest of Two Nigerians & One Lebanese attached to Omoloa Ajayi’s case.

“Kwara won’t tolerate human trafficking, modern slavery — AbdulRazaq

Two Nigerians, one Lebanese arrested over Ilorin case

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has condemned the rising trend of human trafficking in the country, calling it inhuman and unacceptable and warning that anyone caught should face the full weight of the law.

“The Governor of Kwara State is horrified by the video footage of one Ms Ajayi Omolola, who is a victim of human trafficking. Omolola, whose parents live in the Kwara State capital Ilorin, was tricked into traveling to Lebanon in the guise of engaging her as an English tutor. It turned out to be a case of human trafficking and slavery,”

“The Governor condemns this development in the strongest terms possible, and has immediately linked up with the security agencies to get to the roots of the matter. We are glad to announce that three suspects, comprising two Nigerians and the Lebanese referred to in the footage, have been arrested in connection with the case and the suspects are being interrogated.

Apart from Ms Ajayi, discreet investigations by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kwara State have revealed that there are at least 28 other victims of this horrible trafficking gang.

“The three suspects so far arrested are a Lebanese named Wasit Muhammad; one Olatunji Sanusi, a lawyer; and one Tunde. The gang also included one Joseph who is presently at large.

The case is soon to be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

His Excellency, meanwhile, is also linking up with relevant federal government and international agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), to ensure that Ms Ajayi and others are released from this human bondage. He also commends the NSCDC for the great work so far done on this matter.

“The Governor is concerned that fellow human beings are engaging in another round of slavery despite the horror and unquantifiable loss of the 20th century.

“Kwara will never tolerate such inhuman and unlawful trade. He requests citizens to expose any of such activity they may know of. He also calls for the highest penalty for anyone caught in the activity, no matter their class in the society, to deter others from engaging in it.”

Ambassador Goni Zanna Bura (Middle), Omotola Ajayi (2nd on the right), Olanrewaju Olasunkanmi Balogun APC France Chairman (1st from the right) and others.

Four staff from Nigerian mission in Lebanon and the “Master” the White Old man that brought Ajayi Omolola.

The Good news that appeared from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission reads:

“UPDATES ON THE VIRAL VIDEO.

Ajayi Omotola is now in the safe hands of Ambassador Goni Modu Zanna Bura, the Nigerian Ambassador in Beirut, Lebanon.” And the chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa in a tweet said ‘She will be home soon.”

Breaking news. Update on the viral video of trafficked Nigerian girl in Lebanon. She is now happily in the hands of the Nigerian Amb in Beirut , received warmly and happy to be in safe hands. She will be home soon by Gods grace .🙏🏿 https://t.co/xyK0myZ7gF

— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) January 13, 2020

UPDATES ON THE VIRAL VIDEO.

Ajayi Omotola is now in the safe hands of Amb Goni Modu Zanna Bura, the Nigerian Ambassador in Beirut, Lebanon.
Special thanks to the Ambassador, Staff of the Nigerian mission, the Kwara state Gov. @RealAARahman, Nscdc for arresting the traffickers. pic.twitter.com/TrSxl9jf1v

— Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (@nidcom_gov) January 13, 2020

This clearly shows that with a swift intervention, many things will be positively done in Nigeria, praises has since been flowing in to all the agencies and officials involved in the intervention.

Moving forward, how do you think Human trafficking and modern slave trade can be best curbed in Nigeria?