Anambra State indigenes resident in Malaysia have
raised the alarm over the high number of girls from the South eastern states of
Nigeria being trafficked to the country allegedly for sex.
The residents, under the umbrella of Anambra State
Welfare Association Malaysia (ASWAM), lamented that the situation had become
embarrassing and unbearable for them.
Speaking with journalists on Thursday in Awka, the state
capital, the Chairman of the group, Mr. Okwunwanne Mmaduka, said they were not
only fighting the menace of sex trafficking, but also the issue of kidnappings.
He denied the popular notion that every Igbo
staying in Malaysia is a criminal, adding that most of them were doing genuine
businesses and studying at the same time in the Asian country.
Mmaduka, who addressed journalists in company of
his colleagues, said they would meet with the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred
Achebe, and other monarchs; the state Governor, Willie Obiano, and other
stakeholders from the state on how to stop the trend.
According to Mmaduka, "We receive over 20
complaints each week on the activities of the traffickers. A lot of them had
lost their lives in the process as a result this situation.
"We have also rescued most of them and sent
them back to Nigeria, while others had been sent to school in Malaysia by the
group. The trend is giving Ndigbo bad image and a source of concern.
"ASWAM is disturbed by the increasing cases of
Anambra State women and girls in Malaysia falling victims of sex trafficking
and commercial sexual exploitation.
"ASWAM, therefore, is employing community
based and state-wide campaigns to combat the menace of sex trafficking and
other commercial sex exploitation of Anambra State women and girls in Malaysia.
"We are taking the campaigns to our families,
communities and traditional institutions in the state. We are raising awareness
among our young people, parents, government and the public on the dangers
therein."
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