Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Ogun State Government, in collaboration with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has intensified its campaign against human trafficking with a public sensitisation road walk and the expansion of its School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project across the state. The initiative, which coincides with the 2026 World Day Against Human Trafficking, brought together Ministries, Departments and Agencies, security organisations and civil society groups to warn residents about the dangers of irregular migration and the deceptive tactics used by traffickers. Chairman of the State Task Force on Human Trafficking, who also doubles as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, reaffirmed the commitment of the Abiodun-led administration to eradicating human trafficking through sustained public enlightenment, strategic partnerships and strengthened institutional support.
The road walk, which cut across major roads within the Abeokuta metropolis, was designed to inform the public about the dangers of not being properly guided before embarking on any international journey. Represented by the Coordinator of the State Task Force on Human Trafficking, Akolawole Soremi, Ogungbade described human trafficking as a crime driven by deception and exploitation, stressing that tackling the menace required collective efforts of government, security agencies, development partners, traditional institutions, religious organisations and members of the public. He maintained that while migration remained a legitimate right, it must be undertaken through safe, legal and properly documented channels. "There is nothing wrong with travelling in search of better opportunities, but people must migrate the right way. Before embarking on any journey, they should know where they are going, understand the purpose of the trip, verify those receiving them and ensure they possess the appropriate travel documents," he said.
The Ogun State Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs. Abosede Jimoh, described human trafficking as a grave violation of human rights that required sustained collaboration among government, security agencies, development partners and members of the public. She urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid deceptive migration offers and promptly report suspected trafficking cases to the appropriate authorities, assuring that the Agency would continue to strengthen enforcement, victim protection, prosecution of offenders and public enlightenment across the State. The State Coordinator of the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), Mrs. Taiwo Adebajo, warned parents and guardians against entrusting their children to strangers who would hide under the shade of getting them educated or facilitating a better life for them.
In a related development, NAPTIP and ICMPD have sensitised over 40,000 students across 32 selected secondary schools on the danger of human trafficking under the Schools Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project, funded by the government of the Netherlands. Nearly 1,000 students have been inducted into Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Persons Vanguard Clubs, serving as peer educators and ambassadors against human trafficking in their communities. Jimoh warned students against falling victim to traffickers through fake job offers, promises of greener pastures abroad and other deceptive recruitment tactics, noting that traffickers exploit vulnerable persons for commercial sexual exploitation, organ harvesting, debt bondage, child labour and sextortion through social media platforms. She identified various forms of exploitation, including sexual exploitation, labour exploitation and child labour, explaining that child labour specifically involves persons below the age of 18 subjected to hazardous work instead of being in school.
NAPTIP has intensified efforts to combat human trafficking among secondary school students in Ogun State, warning that traffickers are increasingly exploiting social media to lure young people into sexual exploitation, forced labour, organ harvesting and other criminal activities. Jimoh warned students to be cautious of online friendships, saying traffickers now recruit victims under the guise of sports opportunities, employment offers and romantic relationships. According to her, one of the emerging trends is sextortion, where criminals manipulate victims into sharing intimate photographs before blackmailing them for money. She also warned about the growing menace of organ harvesting, describing it as one of the most disturbing forms of human trafficking. The project targets 50 selected schools in Ogun State and is also being implemented in Edo, Benue, Enugu and Delta States. The campaign represents a comprehensive approach to combating human trafficking through education, awareness, and community engagement, as Ogun State seeks to protect its most vulnerable citizens from the scourge of modern-day slavery.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments