Lagos — GOVERNOR Oserhiemen Osunbor of Edo State, yesterday, lamented what he described as the number of persons particularly women from the state being trafficked abroad for prostitution and described those who engaged in the illicit business as "slave traders."

The Governor who spoke when he received the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Massimo Baistrocchi and the Nigerian Ambassador designate to Italy, Crown Prince Ehenede Erediuwa, in his office at Government House Benin City, highlighted the efforts made so far by both the state and Federal Governments in checking the activities of human traffickers in the state but regretted that "unfortunately some parents collude with their children to commit this crime."

In order to curb the menace of human trafficking in the state, the Governor said that "immediately we were sworn in, we were the first state that passed the Child Right Law. We are encouraging the Ministry of Women Affairs also in this respect."

Ambassador Massimo who spoke earlier, said the Italian government had already expended over two million Euros in assisting the state in curbing human trafficking, assuring that they would not relent their efforts in this regard so as to ensure that the illegal trade is completed eradicated.