Worried by rising incidents of women and child trafficking affecting its citizens, the Jechira Intermediate Area Traditional Council recently initiated moves to curb the trend. HRH Chief Edward Ujege, Tor Jechira and Chairman Jechira Intermediate Area Traditional Council frowned at the practices which he said often result in the trafficking of Jechira girls to other countries for sex slavery, prostitution and other unsavoury practices. Chief Ujege disclosed that HRM Tor Tiv Orcivirigh Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse (Begha u Tiv) had earlier taken a serious stand on the trafficking of young Tiv and Benue girls to other countries, noting that the practice not only causes destruction to the female children but is also negatively affecting the reputation of Tiv people. Explaining the dangers associated with trafficking of girls and little children, Ujege said they stood the risk of having their organs stolen as well as other evil practices, warning that those involved in the acts will be arrested made to face the full wrath of the law. Ujege regretted that from available statistics, Jechira children are top on the list of girls involved in this practice and asserted that Jechira people are known for development and progress, warning that the traditional council under his watch will no longer tolerate the development. In separate remarks, the Ter u Kunav HRH Chief Nyiyongo Achiaku and the Acting Ter Ikyor HRH Chief Emmanuel Akpoghol also expressed sadness over the development describing it as barbaric as well as retrogressive, and stressed that it must be stopped in Jechira and the entire Tiv Nation. The Jechira traditional council imposed some serious sanctions on people living in the area in an effort to stem the ugly trend, including that: (1). no Jechira girl should be trafficked or be given out of the intermediate area without knowledge of the immediate family; (2). any parent(s) who gives out their daughter to anybody outside Jechira nation without proper and verified reasons will be seriously challenged by the council; (3). any one into the business of trafficking young girls and little children are banned from Jechira land; (4). the council also banned all persons below the age of 18 from attending burials in Jechira land; (5). also banned is the operation of mini markets populary known as "mban u njar" during burials and other events; (6) the council further banned shops selling alcoholic beverages from operating before 1:00 pm on Sundays.

Posted: 2weeks ago

Author: Editor in Chief

Current date: 14 August 2026