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Traffickers now luring children online, group warns

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Live Abundantly, a non-profit organisation, has raised concerns about the use of the Internet and digital platforms to lure and coerce innocent individuals, including children, into human trafficking.

To address this emerging trend, the founder of the organisation, Dr Ama Onyerinma, emphasised the need for all strategic stakeholders, including the global media, to collaborate.

Ama made the call shortly before Tuesday’s “Walk Against Human Trafficking” sensitisation programme, which was organised to commemorate the annual United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

While celebrating the yearly event, the NGO and its partners took part in a road walk, which started at the Lagos zonal office of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Person.

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The walk started at Oba Ladejobi Street, GRA, Lagos through Computer Village, Ikeja Under Bridge and terminated at NAPTIP’s zonal office.

Shortly before the commencement of the road walk, Ama said, “Today is the day of awareness but I think today should be the day where we work on certain actionable goals to prevent it whilst still increasing awareness. But (we must) also find ways to be accountable for our children and accountability means that we have to safeguard our children and make them a priority.

“They (children) get coerced and there is so much misinformation. Much of these are being done online. The traffickers have taken to online and digitalised platforms to learn and coerce children and adults. There is still much work to be done.

“The significance of this rally is the education of the parents. If we can get more parents and caretakers to recognise the children as a priority and that they should not, under any circumstances, expose them to traffickers, then we would have done just a small percentage.”

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The Head of the Lagos Field Office for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,

Godwin Bwire, emphasised that human trafficking would persist unless the root causes were directly addressed.

“Human trafficking is a continuous (challenge) in Nigeria because of the vulnerability of its people. We must continue to educate them, support and improve their livelihood. At the end of the day, it mitigates human trafficking. We have to continue to do advocacy,” Bwire said.

In his remarks, the South-West Coordinator of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, Alex Oturu,

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said, “Human trafficking is a significant issue in the context of migration. Many Nigerians are being trafficked both domestically and internationally.

“It is important that we raise awareness on a day like this so that people can have an idea of what is happening. A lot of Nigerians find themselves involved in trafficking without even knowing it.”

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Tension in Ondo community as herdsman dies in clash with vigilance group

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There is tension among residents of Ikakumo community in Akoko Northeast local government area of Ondo state over the killing of a herdsman during a clash with vigilance group in the locality.

Two other persons including Commander of the vigilance were injured in the clash.

Some residents in the community said they were afraid of reprisal attacks from the herdsmen.

It was gathered that the clash occurred when a member of vigilance group challenged a herdsman who last month kidnapped one Balogun at Ikakumo community in Edo state.

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A fracas ensued between the herdsmen and the vigilance group with one of the herders was stabbed to death.

The two injured persons were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.

Ondo Police spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, confirmed the incident and said investigation has commenced.

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Armed herdsmen kill Benue traditional ruler

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The District Head of Odugbeho in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, Chief Anthony Adejoh has been murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.

Reports have it that the royal father and one Jerry John were gruesomely murdered Wednesday afternoon by the marauders at Otobi-Akpa in Otukpo LGA.

The duo were said to be working in their farms in Otobi when the marauders stormed the area and opened fire on them.

They were later discovered dead when the people who heard the sound of gunshots dashed to the scene and found them dead.

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Confirming the development, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Marvis Ejeh, said Chief Adejo was gruesomely killed on his farm at Akpa-Otobi by armed herders who invaded the area at about 10 am.

He described late royal father as a peace builder, an astute community builder and a community leader who would be greatly missed by all.

The Chairman said, “I can confirm to you that the district head of Odugbeho, Chief Tony Adej,o has been killed. He was killed by some armed herdsmen while working on his farm at Otobi in Otukpo LGA of the State.

“Despite hearing this ugly news, Odugbeho community is calm, our people are calm because we will not take law into our hands.

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“Nobody is taking the law into their hands, there is no need for a reprisal attack because the incident did not happen at home. Agatu is calm and peaceful.”

The Agatu Chairman, who enjoined the people to be security conscious wherever they find themselves said “Agatu people residing and farming in other LGAs should be careful and watchful.

“They should liaise with the local authority and know the areas that are safe to work for now, since the government is trying to curb the issue of insecurity in the entire Benue South District or Zone c.”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Chatherine Anene said she had yet received reports of the incident.

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Lagos govt to prosecute 74 for environmental violations

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The Lagos State Government has announced plans to prosecute 74 individuals apprehended for violating environmental regulations within the state.

According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the suspects were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation by the state’s Taskforce in the early hours of Tuesday around 1 a.m., targeting key locations across the Lekki axis of Lagos Island.

The enforcement sweep covered areas including the Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel Roundabout, Oniru Beach, Lekki Phases 1 and 2, and the 1004 Estate. A total of 72 men and two women were taken into custody.

Wahab explained that the operation aimed to restore order and sanitation in the affected areas.

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He added that the suspects will face prosecution in accordance with state laws and urged residents to remain law-abiding and committed to maintaining a clean, orderly environment for all.

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