Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on Nigeria and Italy to address both the demand for and supply of victims of human trafficking, recounting a conversation in which an Italian ambassador allegedly said Italian men could not resist Edo women.
The former Edo State governor made the disclosure during Senate plenary on Tuesday while discussing measures to combat human trafficking. A video of the exchange surfaced online on Thursday.
Oshiomhole said Edo and Akwa Ibom states could take steps to address the supply of victims, but argued that foreign countries must also tackle the demand that sustains trafficking networks.
Senator Recounts Meeting With Italian Parliamentary Speaker
Oshiomhole said he had met with the Speaker of the Italian Parliament, who promised technical assistance to Edo State to help address the supply side of human trafficking.
He said he urged the Italian government to discourage its citizens from patronising trafficked women, arguing that efforts focused only on communities where victims originated would not address the entire problem.
“I know I met with the Speaker of the Italian Parliament, who said he was going to give Edo some technical assistance to deal with the issue of supply, and I told her that in history we don’t demand the supply,” he said.
Oshiomhole added that the Italian government should take steps to discourage its citizens from participating in the exploitation of trafficked women.
Italian Ambassador’s Alleged Comment About Edo Women
The senator recounted that he had asked the Italian ambassador to address the demand side of human trafficking.
According to Oshiomhole, the ambassador responded: “Your Excellency, I’m sorry, Italian people cannot resist Edo girls.”
Oshiomhole said he rejected the suggestion that the responsibility should rest primarily with Edo communities, arguing that Italian men should receive education and reorientation to discourage the demand for trafficked women.
“If they cannot resist, they need the reorientation. Let them deal with Italian people and not Edo people,” he said.
Oshiomhole Says Human Trafficking Requires a National Response
Oshiomhole argued that trafficking could not be addressed effectively without tackling the demand that encourages criminal networks to continue operating.
“The law of economics is that without demand, there will be no supply, but when demand is strong, supply will find its way. So I think this really is a national problem,” he said.
He maintained that Edo and Akwa Ibom states could work on reducing the supply of victims if the Italian government also demonstrated efforts to reduce demand.
The senator added that he wanted evidence of action against demand before concentrating solely on the supply side. He also warned against Nigeria being viewed internationally as a country associated with human trafficking.
Oshiomhole called for action against organised groups in foreign countries that he said supported the trafficking of Nigerian women.
Akpabio Questions Oshiomhole During Senate Debate
During the discussion, Senate President Godswill Akpabio asked Oshiomhole whether he had tried to establish what Italian men found appealing about Edo women.
“Seriously, just for the benefit of my colleagues, did you try to find out what the Italians found in the Edo girls?” Akpabio asked.
Oshiomhole replied: “I couldn’t do that because I’m a Catholic and I’m happily married.”
Akpabio Advocates Stronger Enforcement of Anti-Trafficking Laws
Akpabio subsequently discussed legal measures for combating kidnapping and related offences, recalling that he signed a law prescribing the death penalty for kidnapping while serving as governor of Akwa Ibom State.
He said the law also provided for the forfeiture and demolition of properties used in kidnapping, describing such measures as potential deterrents.
The Senate President called for stronger enforcement of existing laws and improved rehabilitation arrangements for trafficking victims returning to Nigeria.
Senate Adopts Recommendation to Strengthen Anti-Trafficking Measures
Akpabio also referred to the need to review relevant legislation, including the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and the Child Rights Act, 2003.
Following the discussion, the Senate adopted a recommendation to strengthen existing anti-trafficking laws through more effective enforcement and rehabilitation measures.
