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Nigeria,
Benin to sign anti-child trafficking treaty
By Segun
Adeleye,
Reporter,
Abeokuta
As the
child trafficking seems intractable, Nigeria and the neighbouring Republic of
Benin are considering a treaty to stop the illicit trade across their
borders.
Republic
of Benin Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Bernaid Adekambi, who made this known
during a courtesy call on the Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, in
Abeokuta, said a legal basis for the co-operation was being considered.
The
proposed treaty, he said would reduce crime rate and foster economic
development.
Expressing
concern over the porous borders between the two countries, Adekambi said the
co-operation between the two would also facilitate the development of common
resources while promoting security.
�Some
ill-intentioned persons have tried to take the advantage of the porous border
by putting in place a mafia-like operations in robbery as well as trafficking
our children for child labour and other inhuman treatment, there are still
some Benin children to be recovered, lets fish out these mafia together,� the
envoy said.
Noting
that Ogun State and Republic of Benin have common historical culture ties,
Adekambi canvassed the resuscitation of the exchange visits between the state
government and Republic of Benin, which had stopped since 1989.
Responding,
Daniel promised to tackle the issues raised through the establishment of a
Border Communities Development Agency in line with the Federal Government�s
decision to create a similar agency for developmental purposes.
He added
that a border security and community-policing workshop was being considered
to address the peculiar challenges of border areas, even as he assured that
Benin Republic would be invited to participate.
The
governor disclosed that the international boundary demarcation between the
two countries at Onigbolo would soon be completed, just as he assured that
the age-long demarcation activity at Igbokofi, Towe and Iwoye would be
investigated.
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