The United Kingdom has taken definitive steps to end the repulsive act of modern day slavery in Nigeria.
To this end, they have contributed £7m to help with this move. This was announced by the International Development Secretary Priti Patel who said she was on a mission to free the world from this ugly practice.
Ms Patel, who spoke when she met with survivors of modern slavery in a safe house in Lagos, said that the money will be used to provide alternative livelihoods for potential victims of trafficking and modern slavery, including support for those who become victims to help them reintegrate into society and protect them from re-trafficking.
According to reports, Nigeria ranks 4th on the human trafficking scale to the UK with most of the girls trafficked potential victims of sexual abuse.
Priti Patel said: “It is shameful that in the 21st Century the evil crime of modern slavery lurks in every corner of the globe, including on the UK’s streets, destroying the lives of young men and women.
“We will not stand aside and ignore this barbaric and often invisible crime which all too often reaches our shores and is damaging for everyone except the perpetrators.
“The UK is a global leader in stamping out modern slavery, pressing the international community including the Nigerian Government to tackle this crime at source, bring perpetrators to justice and protect victims who have been subject to unimaginable horrors.
“Our support is offering vulnerable girls and women an alternative life to slavery and exploitation and helping them reintegrate into society, stopping vicious cycles of abuse and creating a more prosperous and secure future for thousands, as well as for us at home.”