By USMAN ALIYU

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says trafficking in persons and irregular migration are now endemic across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement on Saturday by Ganiu Aganran, NAPTIP Zonal Commander in Benin.

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 t?e 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.

?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,? he said.

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 need for referral of cases, arrest and investigation, don?t hesitate to call us because we are there for you,? he said.

Aganran reiterated 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.

?Also we are here to let you know that Edo State Taskforce on Human Trafficking dovetail into Edo State Migration Agency and seek your support and collaboration in tackling trafficking and illegal migration in the state,? he said.

He said that such collaboration would build a stronger relationship to enable it to address the menace in the state. (NAN, but headline rejigged)

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