$245bn human trafficking scourge threatens Nigeria’s security — AGF

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has raised concerns over the growing threat of human trafficking in Nigeria, warning that the crime poses a significant danger to national security.

Delivering the keynote address at the 28th National Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum and Summit on Human Trafficking in Abuja, Fagbemi revealed that human trafficking generates a staggering $245 billion annually, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

He said, “This crime can be local, national or transnational and constitutes threats to persons and their families, communities, and nations. In fact, it is affecting our national security negatively, as Nigeria is a source, transit, and destination country for trafficking.”

The Attorney General called for a united front against human trafficking, describing it as a sophisticated, profit-driven, and deeply coordinated criminal enterprise. “It requires a united front, reinforced partnerships, and multi-sectoral collaboration,” he said.

Fagbemi noted that Nigeria has made significant strides in combating human trafficking, including the rescue of 25,642 victims, arrest of 11,406 suspected traffickers, and 750 convictions. However, he emphasised that more needs to be done to address the root causes of trafficking, including poverty, inequality, and weak governance.

“We must continuously evolve strategies to stay ahead of the traffickers,” Fagbemi said. “As we reflect on our progress and chart the way forward, this year’s Anti-Trafficking event stands as a clarion call to action for policymakers, implementers, communities, and the global community to intensify efforts, align strategies, and ultimately end the exploitation of our people.”

The Attorney General commended the leadership of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and development partners, including the governments of Switzerland and the Netherlands, the European Union, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), for their support in the fight against human trafficking.

Fagbemi reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to stamping out human trafficking, saying, “Together, let us resolve not to relent until this organised crime is ended and every Nigerian—man, woman, and child—is safe from the horror of exploitation.”

In her welcome address, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Hajiya Binta Adamu Bello, highlighted the agency’s efforts to combat human trafficking, including the launch of a National Dashboard on Human Trafficking and the domestication of the ECOWAS TIP+ Strategy.

Bello also drew attention to emerging trends in human trafficking, including loan-for-sex trafficking schemes, fake job offers, and scholarship scams. “These deceptive tactics not only exploit the ambition and dreams of our youth but also undermine legitimate labour migration and international academic exchange,” she said.

The Director-General commended development partners and stakeholders for their support and urged participants to actively engage in the forum to shape the next phase of Nigeria’s counter-trafficking response.

Bello noted that NAPTIP has been working diligently to domesticate and adapt the ECOWAS TIP+ Strategy to Nigeria’s context, which aims to integrate existing institutional mechanisms and policy frameworks with broader interventions addressing gender-based violence, irregular migration, and other related crimes.

She also mentioned that the agency has made significant progress in creating a comprehensive reporting system, with the launch of the National Human Trafficking Data Dashboard, a product of the ongoing collaboration with UNODC under the Swiss-funded project “From Policy to Action: Implementation of the NAP 2022–2026.”

The Director-General emphasised the importance of synergy, visibility, and accountability across board, urging stakeholders to ensure their activities, interventions, and data reflect on the national dashboard.

Bello highlighted the critical role of state task forces on human trafficking, commending the 23 state task forces for their efforts in combating human trafficking. She also appreciated the support of state governments, including the Government of Niger State, which has shown strong political will to host a NAPTIP office in the state.

The Director-General, therefore, urged all stakeholders to participate actively in the forum, saying, “Let us rise to the challenge before us and prove once more that Nigeria is not only committed to ending human trafficking but is resolutely charting the course for others to follow.”

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