The new Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Benin Zonal Command, Ganiu Aganran has said his major priority was to tackle human trafficking with the arrest of high-profile traffickers in the zone.
IgbereTV reports that Mr Aganran, took over from Nduka Nwanwenne, as the commander of the zone which comprises Edo and Delta States.
Aganran, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Benin City said any suspected high-profile traffickers arrested would be diligently prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
He, however, added that the Zonal Command had in 2023 rescued over 100 victims of trafficking and secured 3 convictions in the same period while 65 cases are currently in courts in Edo and Delta states.
He assured that under his watch, the agency would focus more on public awareness creation, particularly in rural communities, to prevent human trafficking and educate the public on the dangers of the crime.
The commander, also assured that the agency in collaboration with the International Centre for Migration and Policy Development, ICMPD, would commence sensitisation initiatives under its School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project, STEAP, in both Edo and Delta States.
While calling for a collaborative approach to combat human trafficking, he stated that the agency would work with other law enforcement agencies, stakeholders, and the media to achieve its goals.
“We cannot do it alone, we need the support of all stakeholders to combat human trafficking.
“We need to educate the public on the dangers of human trafficking, especially in rural communities where the victims are mostly recruited,” he said.
The new commander, who noted that poverty was not the only factor contributing to human trafficking, added that greed, desperation, peer pressure and unemployment are amongst other factors responsible for trafficking.
The NAPTIP boss, however, warned parents to be vigilant about their children’s activities, especially online, as human traffickers are increasingly using social media to recruit victims.
“Parents should be vigilant about their children’s activities, especially online, as human traffickers are using social media to recruit victims,” he warned.
He expressed his commitment to ensuring the visibility of the agency and working with the media to sensitise the public on the dangers of human trafficking in the zone
