In a bid to end human trafficking in Nigeria, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons announced that it has teamed up with the Ondo State Government, with assistance from the international company Expertise France.
The state government recently provided office space in Akure, the state capital, to the state command of the NAPTIP through the cooperation.
The country project manager of Expertise France, Mr. Benjamin Eneanya spoke on this development on Monday, stating that the joint cooperation will enhance the agency’s to effectively curb human trafficking in the state.
He revealed that with the state-of-the-art facility provided for the agency to support their operations, including investigation, prosecution and victim’s rehabilitation, NAPTIP’s efforts in the fight against human trafficking will see an impactful growth.
“The renovation of the office (of the Ondo State Command of NAPTIP) is aimed at providing a conducive working environment for NAPTIP operatives,” the country project manager stated.
Mr. Chinedu Ajaegbu, the zonal commander of the Agency said this development will aid in strengthening NAPTIP’s presence in the state and promote effective collaboration with other stakeholders and authorities.
According to Mr. Taiwo Adegboyega, the NAPTIP State Commander for Ondo, the agency has handled several cases in the state shortly after it began operations thanks to the refurbished office space that the state government provided.
Adegboyega revealed that several victims of human trafficking had been saved in the state and were awaiting discharge to their families after undergoing rehabilitation. But he withheld the information about how many victims were saved.
He said, “We came on board fully on November 13, 2023, realising that Ondo State is endemic when it comes to the issue of human trafficking. We have seen cases of human trafficking here.
“Due to the serious fight against human trafficking in Edo State, traffickers tend to relocate to neighbouring states of Edo, of which Ondo State is one. That is why the agency deemed it fit to move to Ondo State in order to ensure that traffickers have no hiding place.”
