Human Trafficking, Money Laundering, Inter-Related -NAPTIP

… Seeks Synergy With EFCC

The National Agency For Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has said that human trafficking and money laundering are inter-related.

The Benin-City Zonal Commander of (NAPTIP), Ijeoma Uduak, stated this when she paid a courtesy visit to the zonal office of the anti-graft agency.

Uduak also affirmed her support for the anti-corruption mandate of the present administration.

A statement issued on Thursday by the EFCC Spokesman, Dele Oyewale, quoted the NAPTIP commander as saying the agency had critical roles to play in curbing corrupt practices, adding that some human traffickers had been linked to money laundering. 

She said: “NAPTIP is a critical stakeholder in this our corruption fight,  as human trafficking and money laundering are intertwined.”

The NAPTIP commander therefore  sought collaboration with the EFCC to deepen the anti-corruption fight. 

She added: “We need the collaboration of other stakeholders, especially the EFCC to curb human trafficking. Crime is like a sequence. That’s why we need to collaborate and synergise in curbing crime”.

Responding, the Benin zonal head of the EFCC, Muhtar Bello, represented by his deputy, Thomas Kadiri, noted that the commission was ever willing to collaborate with sister agencies in curbing all forms of corruption.

Bello said: “I welcome you on behalf of the acting Chairman, Umar.A.Mohammed.  I must tell you, that you are in the right place and seeking to collaborate with the commission is a welcome development.”

He said the EFCC would render any support and assistance it could to NAPTIP. 

“Our office is open to everyone who wishes to collaborate with the EFCC.  Just knock on our door whenever you need our help and we will be willing to lend our support”, he said.