RismadarVoice Reporters
October 29, 2026
Senator Adams Oshiomhole has recounted how an Italian ambassador allegedly told him that Italian men could not resist women from Edo State during discussions on combating human trafficking between Nigeria and Italy.
The former Edo State governor disclosed this while contributing to a Senate debate on Tuesday concerning the trafficking and exploitation of Nigerians abroad.
A video of his remarks circulated on social media on Thursday, drawing attention to his argument that countries receiving trafficking victims must address the demand sustaining criminal networks.
Oshiomhole said he had previously met with the Speaker of the Italian Parliament, who expressed willingness to provide technical assistance to Edo State in tackling human trafficking.
However, the senator said he insisted that efforts to prevent Nigerians from being trafficked abroad would remain inadequate unless destination countries also confronted those exploiting victims.
He explained that he had challenged Italian officials to discourage the patronage of trafficked women rather than placing responsibility entirely on Nigerian communities.
According to Oshiomhole, an Italian ambassador responded by claiming that Italian men could not resist Edo women.
The senator said he rejected the explanation and argued that individuals involved in exploiting trafficked women required reorientation and appropriate government intervention.
He maintained that human trafficking was driven partly by demand in destination countries and should therefore be addressed through coordinated international action.
Oshiomhole also called for stronger measures against organised trafficking networks and their foreign collaborators.
During the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio questioned the senator about his exchange with the Italian official, prompting a light-hearted response from Oshiomhole, who said he was happily married.
Beyond the exchange, lawmakers considered broader measures to strengthen Nigeria’s response to human trafficking, kidnapping and exploitation.
The Senate called for investigations into travel agencies suspected of facilitating trafficking and urged closer cooperation among relevant security and law enforcement agencies.
It also advocated stronger enforcement of existing anti-trafficking legislation, increased funding for the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and improved rehabilitation programmes for rescued victims.
Lawmakers further proposed stricter identity verification for tenants and greater regulation of short-let accommodation to prevent criminal networks from exploiting residential properties.
The Senate subsequently adopted recommendations aimed at improving investigations, prosecutions, victim protection and international cooperation.
Oshiomhole’s account of the ambassador’s alleged remark has not been independently corroborated by Italian diplomatic authorities.
His contribution nevertheless highlighted the importance of addressing both the recruitment of trafficking victims in Nigeria and their exploitation in destination countries.
