Senator Adams Oshiomhole has recounted an unusual exchange with an Italian ambassador who allegedly told him that Italian men could not resist Edo women, as he called for stronger international cooperation to tackle human trafficking.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, shared the account during a Senate plenary session on Tuesday while discussing the need for Nigeria and Italy to address both the demand for and supply of victims of human trafficking.
The former Edo State governor argued that efforts to combat trafficking would remain incomplete if attention focused only on the Nigerian communities from which victims were recruited, without addressing those who patronise the illegal trade abroad.
According to him, he had previously met with the Speaker of the Italian Parliament, who promised technical assistance to Edo State to help tackle the supply side of human trafficking.
However, Oshiomhole said he urged Italian authorities to pay equal attention to reducing demand among their citizens.
He explained that trafficking could not thrive without people willing to pay for the services of trafficked women, stressing that the responsibility for addressing the problem should be shared by countries on both sides of the trade.
Recalling his conversation with the Italian ambassador, Oshiomhole said he was told: “Your Excellency, I’m sorry, Italian people cannot resist Edo girls.”
The senator said he responded by insisting that Italian men needed reorientation rather than placing the entire burden of tackling trafficking on Edo State and other Nigerian communities.
“If they cannot resist, they need the reorientation. Let them deal with Italian people and not Edo people,” he said.
Oshiomhole maintained that Edo and Akwa Ibom states could work to address the recruitment and supply of victims, but argued that such efforts should be matched by meaningful action against those creating demand in foreign countries.
He also warned against allowing Nigeria to be portrayed internationally as solely responsible for human trafficking, calling for stronger action against organised networks operating outside the country.
Akpabio Reacts to Oshiomhole’s Account
The discussion took a lighter turn when Senate President Godswill Akpabio asked Oshiomhole whether he had tried to discover what Italian men found particularly attractive about Edo women.
Oshiomhole responded humorously that he could not investigate the matter because he was a Catholic and happily married.
Beyond the exchange, Akpabio called for stronger enforcement of existing laws against kidnapping and related offences. He also highlighted the need for effective rehabilitation programmes for trafficking survivors who return to Nigeria.
The Senate discussion further addressed the importance of reviewing and enforcing relevant legislation, including the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, and the Child Rights Act, 2003.
The Senate subsequently adopted a recommendation to strengthen existing anti-trafficking laws through improved enforcement and rehabilitation measures.
The debate underscores the need for a coordinated approach to human trafficking, involving Nigerian authorities, foreign governments and law enforcement agencies to tackle recruitment networks, protect vulnerable people and bring perpetrators to justice.
