*Human trafficking: Edo, NAPTIP strategise to reduce menace by 50% by year end*

*_…as NAPTIP applauds Obaseki’s tactics for curbing menace_*

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration will collaborate with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), to reduce the menace of irregular migration and human trafficking by 50 per cent by the end of 2019.

The governor made the submission during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, to the Government House, in Benin City, Edo State capital.

Obaseki said as part of efforts to tackle the scourge of human trafficking and irregular migration, the state government established a taskforce, noting, “As a government, we have admitted to the huge challenges we face and we decided to set-up a taskforce to provide local solutions to the issue. NAPTIP and Edo State Government are working closely to reduce irregular migration and human trafficking by 50 per cent by the end of this year and if I am governor for eight years, it will reduce to zero.”

He urged donor agencies to support efforts of the state to address the problems faced by returnees, noting, “We are working to pressure foreign government to create legitimate travel windows that will enable them travel legally.”

The Director-General of NAPTIP commended Governor Obaseki for his commitment to eradicating human trafficking as illustrated in his strategies, including the setting-up of the Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking.

“The successes already recorded by the Taskforce justify the foresight of your excellency and have inspired NAPTIP to encourage other state governments to set up similar institution of government, in order to consolidate on the efforts of NAPTIP and other stakeholders,” the NAPTIP boss added.

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*PHOTO CAPTION:*
*DSC_0338:*
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle); Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Taiwo Akerele (2nd left); Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe (left); Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Dame Julie Okah-Donli (2nd right) and Director, Research and Programme Development, NAPTIP, Mr Godwin Morka (right), during a courtesy visit by NAPTIP officials to the governor, at Government House, in Benin City, on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

*DSC_0317:*
R-L; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Dame Julie Okah-Donli; Zonal Command, NAPTIP, Benin Zone, Mr. Nduka Nwanwenne; Director, Research and Programme Development, NAPTIP, Mr Godwin Morka, during a courtesy visit by NAPTIP officials to the governor, at Government House, in Benin City, on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.