The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has said that trafficking in persons and irregular migration are now endemic across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
Ganiu Aganran, NAPTIP Zonal Commander made this startling revelation on Friday, January 31, during a courtesy visit by members of the Edo State Migration Agency (EDSMA), led by its Director-General, Lucky Agazuma.
He said the Edo migration agency would work with NAPTIP in the area of investigation, arrest, prosecution and coordinated public awareness programme, stressing the imperative of such a synergy between the agencies to address the situation in Edo State, which he described as “highly endemic in trafficking in persons and irregular migration.”
“In Nigeria now, there is no state that is not endemic in trafficking in persons and illegal migration. Even all the local government areas across the country are now endemic in trafficking in persons and irregular migration.
“NAPTIP uses five approaches of policy, partnership, protection, prosecution and prevention in tackling trafficking in persons and irregular migration,” he said.
The commander highlighted that NAPTIP, as a law enforcement agency of the Federal Government, has the power to arrest, investigate, prosecute, rescue victims and empower them.
“So we have to work together in awareness creation and intelligence sharing. When there is a need for referral of cases, arrest and investigation, don’t hesitate to call us because we are there for you,” he said.
Aganran reiterated the agency’s commitment to partnering with EDSMA, and advised it to leverage the NAPTIP experience to do the right thing from inception.
Earlier, Agazuma said the visit was to strengthen the existing relations between the two organisations.
“Also, we are here to let you know that the Edo State Taskforce on Human Trafficking dovetails into the Edo State Migration Agency, and seek your support and collaboration in tackling trafficking and illegal migration in the state,” he said, assuring that such collaboration would build a stronger relationship to enable it to address the menace in the state. (NAN)
