The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) raised concerns over the widespread human trafficking and irregular migration, saying it is now endemic across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement by the NAPTIP Zonal Commander, Ganiu Aganran, in Benin, seeking collaboration with other state and federal bodies to address these growing challenges.
Aganran stated this on Friday 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.
He stressed the need for effective synergy between the agencies as the state was highly endemic in trafficking in person and irregular migration.
Aganran said, “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 person and irregular migration.
“NAPTIP uses five approaches of policy, partnership, protection, prosecution and prevention in tackling trafficking in persons and irregular migration.”
The commander highlighted that NAPTIP, as a law enforcement agency of the Federal Government, had 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 commitment of the agency to partner with EDSMA and advised it to latch on 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.
He said, “Also we are here to let you know that the Edo State Taskforce on Human Trafficking dovetails into the Edo State Migration Agency, and seeks your support and collaboration in tackling trafficking and illegal migration in the state.”
He said that such collaboration would build a stronger relationship to enable it to address the menace in the state.
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