By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

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Ekiti House of Assembly has pledged to support the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP), in its efforts to eradicate human trafficking across the state.

The Speaker, Ekiti House of Assembly, Mr Funminiyi Afuye gave the assurance in Ado-Ekiti, while receiving the delegation from  Ekiti NAPTIP office led by its head, Mr Oladimeji Samson.

Afuye said that in support of the efforts of the agency, the Assembly passed laws aimed at assisting the eradication of human trafficking and related cases in the state.

The speaker lauded NAPTIP for its efforts so far, urging them to maintain the tempo.

He commended the wife of Ekiti Governor, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, for her commitment at ensuring that every law concerning human trafficking and gender based violence were well implemented in the state.

The Speaker, therefore, called on stakeholders to sponsor private bills that would lead to the achievement of NAPTIP’s mandate.

He promised that such bills would be given the necessary attention by the assembly.

Earlier, the Head of NAPTIP in Ekiti, Mr Oladimeji Samson, appreciated the House for passing laws aimed at checkmating human trafficking in the  State.

Samson said that NAPTIP was established to reduce the menace of human trafficking and other vices, soliciting the support of the state Assembly to boost activities of the agency in Ekiti.

In her address, Mrs Atane Shirley, who is the Secretary, Ekiti Taskforce on Human Trafficking, said the taskforce was established in 2019 to support the state and NAPTIP in eradicating trafficking as well as rescue traffic victims.

Shirley said several arrest have been made, calling for government’s assistance at ensuring smooth operation of the Taskforce.