The management of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has disowned a comment credited to one of its staff that Ogun State tops the list of missing persons in the country.
The NAPTIP staff was quoted as saying that “Ogun State holds national record in missing persons’ and therefore, unsafe.
Reacting to the development on Friday, the management of NAPTIP said it is saddened by this statement attributed to one of its personnel, which was neither authorised nor based on any empirical evidence.
It said issues of missing persons and related matters are clearly beyond the mandate of “our Agency and we cannot therefore, assume the powers to label a state as ‘unsafe’.”
The Agency said in line with extant procedure in the Public Service, appropriate disciplinary actions have already been taken against the personnel.
The statement added: “The Agency and the Ogun State Government, and the good people of the state have enjoyed a very robust relationship since 2003 when the Agency
came on board.
“The Agency regrets any embarrassment caused to the Government and people of Ogun State by the statement.
“We would like to use this opportunity to commend His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun on his exemplary leadership to the State and the giant stride since he assumed office.”
The statement was signed by Josiah Emerole, the Head of Press and Public Relations of NAPTIP.