The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has asked the Federal Government to authorise its enforcement officers to bear arms.

It said child traffickers have become more dangerous.

The agency said traffickers now lure victims under the guise of surrogacy and orphanages.

It said those involved in the crime are aware of trends in the society and take advantage of them.

NAPTIP said the criminals are getting more confident and will do anything to protect their actions and ill-gotten wealth.

This, it said, is why the agency is pushing for officers to carry arms to protect themselves and their victims.

The agency said its officers embark on a lot of dangerous missions in their bid to clamp down on criminal elements who will do anything to protect their investments.

The Director of Public enlightenment, Josiah Emerole, spoke in Keffi, Nasarawa State at a three-day capacity development training of members of the media, officers of press and public relations unit of NAPTIP, Nigerian Immigration Service and the police.

The training was organised by Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants in Nigeria (A-TIPSOM) in collaboration with International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP) and the European Union (EU).

He said the agency is pushing for the right to carry arms because officers will feel more comfortable raiding criminal hideouts.

According to him, “NAPTIP has convicted 500 traffickers so far. If you see us when we go on raids to criminal hangouts; you will realise how dangerous it is for our officers, which is why we have been advocating for the right to carry arms.”

(The Nation)