– Vows to combat high-profile traffickers
From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The newly appointed Commander of the Benin Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mr. Ganiu Aganran, has pledged to intensify efforts against human trafficking in the region by targeting high-profile traffickers.
In an interview in Benin City, Mr. Aganran emphasized that those arrested will face rigorous prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others.
He highlighted the importance of public awareness, especially in rural communities, to prevent trafficking and educate the public on the dangers associated with it.
Mr. Aganran, announced that NAPTIP, in collaboration with the International Centre for Migration and Policy Development (ICMPD), will launch the School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP), in Edo and Delta States. This initiative aims to sensitize 50 secondary schools in each state, in partnership with the Ministries of Education and Justice, about the perils of human trafficking.
Additionally, the agency plans to provide necessary skills and empowerment support to rescued victims to ensure they become self-sufficient and are not re-trafficked.
In 2023, the Benin Zonal Command rescued over 100 trafficking victims and secured three convictions. Currently, 65 cases are pending in courts in Edo and Delta States.
Mr. Aganran called for a collaborative approach to combat human trafficking, urging cooperation from other law enforcement agencies, stakeholders, and the media.
“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 commander identified poverty, greed, desperation, peer pressure, and unemployment as contributing factors to human trafficking.
He assured that NAPTIP will address these issues through its various programs.
Mr. Aganran also warned parents to be vigilant about their children’s online activities, as 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 cautioned.
He reiterated his commitment to enhancing the visibility of the agency and working with the media to raise public awareness about the dangers of human trafficking.
