Oyo govt intensifies campaign against human trafficking

The Oyo State Government has intensified its campaign against human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), child abuse and other forms of exploitation, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL).

The Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Migration and Homeland Security, ACG Segun Adegoke (rtd), said at the inauguration of the new executive of NACTAL that the government was doing everything humanly possible to put an end to the vices in all the local government areas of the state.

Mrs Oluwaseun Folajuwon-Banjo takes over the reins of NACTAL leadership as the newly sworn-in State Coordinator from her predecessor, Elder Ola Omotosho.

Adegoke described the practices as serious socio-economic and security challenges requiring collective action, urging the new leadership to work closely with relevant stakeholders to protect vulnerable persons.

He gave the assurance that the Oyo State Government was ready to partner with the organisation by providing the necessary support and an enabling environment to achieve its mandate.

He also urged the new executive to extend its advocacy beyond Ibadan to other parts of the state, particularly rural communities, where human trafficking and migrant smuggling remain concerns.

According to him, deeper community-level engagement would strengthen public awareness, improve the identification of vulnerable persons and help curb trafficking and exploitation.

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Adegoke reiterated the state government’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at ending human trafficking, stressing the need for sustained collaboration between government institutions and civil society organisations.

He said the government would continue to support NACTAL in achieving its objectives, while encouraging stakeholders to promote safe migration practices and discourage activities that expose people to exploitation, abuse and other security risks.

He further advocated safe, regular and orderly migration, warning against dangerous journeys through the desert and other irregular routes undertaken in search of better opportunities abroad.

While acknowledging that japa, a popular Nigerian expression for migrating in pursuit of improved prospects, could be beneficial, he stressed that such journeys must be undertaken through legal and appropriate channels.

Adegoke, a retired Assistant Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, maintained that the Oyo State Government would support efforts to promote lawful migration and protect residents from the dangers associated with irregular migration.

In his address, the Oyo State Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Kayode Alfred, said the success of the war against sexual and gender-based violence and all forms of trafficking in persons depended on effective collaboration.

He urged the new leadership to consolidate on the achievements of its predecessors and strengthen its engagement with relevant government agencies, non-governmental organisations and community-based groups.

Alfred, in his remarks, identified poor referral of SGBV cases to NAPTIP and inadequate reporting of suspected human trafficking incidents as some of the critical challenges requiring urgent attention from the new executive.

He urged NACTAL to work towards closing the gaps by encouraging survivors and members of the public to report suspected cases promptly to NAPTIP in order to ensure what he called swift investigation and necessary intervention.

The NAPTIP commander expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between the agency and NACTAL, alongside other stakeholders, would significantly improve Nigeria’s response to human trafficking and contribute to the country’s aspiration to attain Tier 1 status in the global assessment of efforts to combat trafficking in persons.

He stressed the importance of collective responsibility in preventing trafficking, protecting vulnerable persons and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.

He said the agency’s responsibilities cover human trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation, forced labour, child labour, forced prostitution, slavery-like practices, bonded labour, organ removal and related offences.

He explained that Nigeria’s anti-trafficking framework is also linked to its international obligations under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.

Speaking shortly before administering the oath of office to the new executives, the Oyo State Coordinator of the African Women Lawyers Association, Adebimpe Alex-Ndukwe, congratulated the incoming leadership and emphasised the need for collaboration and synergy among non-governmental organisations, charitable organisations and other stakeholders.

Alex-Ndukwe expressed confidence in the capacity of the new executive to advance the objectives of NACTAL, calling for stronger joint efforts in tackling child abuse, gender-based violence and other violations of the rights of vulnerable persons.

She noted the importance of coordinated interventions among organisations working in related areas, particularly in ensuring that cases are properly handled and victims receive the support and protection they need.

The Director of Social Welfare, Mr Ezekiel Oke, who represented the Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Fausat Joke-Sanni, emphasised the importance of institutional support and stakeholder engagement in addressing the challenges of human trafficking, child abuse and violence against persons.

In her address, the newly inaugurated State Coordinator of NACTAL, Mrs Oluwaseun Folajuwon-Banjo, a lawyer and advocate for gender justice and child protection, expressed delight at the commitments made by the state government and other critical stakeholders.

Folajuwon-Banjo said the assurances had strengthened the resolve of the new executive to begin work immediately and pursue the network’s objectives with renewed determination, while also emphasising the importance of sustained partnerships in tackling trafficking and exploitation, adding that the support of government institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders would be vital to the success of the new leadership.

The newly inaugurated executive members are expected to serve a four-year tenure, during which they will be tasked with strengthening NACTAL’s advocacy, expanding its reach across communities and deepening cooperation with government agencies and civil society groups.

In their separate remarks, stakeholders reiterated the need for a coordinated approach to preventing human trafficking, improving the reporting and referral of SGBV cases, protecting children and ensuring that victims and survivors have access to appropriate support services.

They expressed the hope that the new leadership would build on the foundation laid by its predecessors and work closely with NAPTIP and other relevant organisations to strengthen the fight against trafficking and exploitation in Oyo State.