The Lagos State Government has inaugurated Local Government Focal Persons and anti-human trafficking desk officers of the Lagos Neighbourhood Security Corps to strengthen grassroots efforts against human trafficking.
Speaking at the inauguration held in Alausa, Ikeja, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), said the initiative underscored the state’s commitment to coordination, defined responsibilities, and accountability in tackling the crime.
He explained that while Heads of Legal Units would provide legal and institutional guidance within local governments, LNSC officers would contribute community intelligence and operational support.
“This structure reflects our belief in coordination, clarity of roles, and accountability. The Heads of Legal Units provide the legal and institutional anchor within the local government system, while the LNSC officers bring field presence, community intelligence, and operational support.
“Together, you form the first line of defence against trafficking in persons at the local level in Lagos State,’’ Pedro said.
He described the inauguration as a significant step in the administration of Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu to confront human trafficking by extending the fight to the grassroots. According to him, trafficking thrives in environments marked by weak institutions, poor coordination, and the absence of early warning systems.
“As a state, we have resolved that Lagos must not provide such fertile ground for the human traffickers.
“The inauguration is, therefore, strategic and deliberate. It is about bringing the fight against human trafficking closer to the communities where it often begins. You are being entrusted with responsibility. You are expected to be vigilant, proactive, and responsive,’’ he stated.
Pedro urged members of the task force to carry out their duties with diligence, integrity, and a strong sense of public service, noting that the success of the initiative would largely depend on their commitment at the local level.
“You must ensure early identification of trafficking risks, prompt reporting of suspected cases, effective referral in line with approved procedures.
“You are also to ensure sustained engagement with community leaders, schools, religious institutions, markets, and other local structures,” he said.
“Let your Local Governments and LCDAs become spaces where traffickers find no refuge, and where victims find protection, support, and justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs. Hajarat Tunde-Osho, who represented the Zonal Commander, said the establishment and strengthening of the task force was a critical component in combating trafficking in persons.
Mrs. Tunde-Osho said the development reaffirmed the importance of coordinated, multi-sectoral, and decentralised approaches, especially at the community level where recruitment and exploitation often begin. She noted that the appointment of Heads of Legal Units across the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas demonstrated Lagos State’s leadership in institutionalising community-based prevention, early detection, and referral systems.
She disclosed that the task force model had been replicated in 24 states of the federation, highlighting its effectiveness as a collaborative framework between federal and state institutions. According to her, Lagos continued to stand out as an example of how political will could translate into tangible action against human trafficking.
Describing the event as symbolic, she said: “It represents the fulfillment of the commitment made by Pedro (SAN) on December 21, 2023. True to his word, this promise has been matched with decisive action, reflecting his unwavering commitment to halting the continuous proliferation of human trafficking in Lagos State.”
Earlier, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, said the inauguration reflected intensified efforts by the state government to combat human trafficking through a coordinated, structured, and community-focused approach.
Oyenuga noted that the exercise went beyond routine administration, describing it as a clear policy direction to confront human trafficking, which he called a serious violation of human rights and dignity.
“Lagos State, as a major economic and migration hub, must continue to remain proactive in preventing, detecting, and responding to this crime,” he said.
He explained that the inauguration was part of the Workplan of the Lagos State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking and demonstrated the state’s commitment, under the leadership of the Attorney-General, to strengthening institutional collaboration and accountability at the local government level. According to him, appointing Heads of Legal Units as Local Government Focal Persons alongside LNSC desk officers created a structure that combined legal oversight, administrative coordination, and operational presence at the grassroots.
“This approach recognises that the most effective responses to trafficking must occur where vulnerabilities are first exposed—within our communities,” Oyenuga said.
He expressed confidence in the collaboration between the Ministry of Justice, the local government system, and the LNSC, noting that the corps’ widespread community presence, when aligned with the authority of local government legal units, provided a solid foundation for early warning, timely intervention, and sustained prevention.
The Task Force Coordinator, Mr. Olamide Ibrahim, also outlined the framework guiding the roles and responsibilities of the Local Government Focal Persons and LNSC anti-human trafficking desk officers.
“At the local government and local council government area level, the Heads of Legal Units are designated as the Local Government Focal Persons for the Task force,” he said.
Ibrahim explained that the focal persons would offer legal and administrative leadership and serve as the main link between local governments, community stakeholders, and the task force secretariat. He clarified that the desk officers would continue to operate under the existing command and reporting structure of the LNSC, stressing that the new role did not alter their institutional accountability.
He added that the reporting framework was designed to promote discipline, accountability, and effective coordination while preventing duplication or conflicts of authority.
“Our response must always be victim-centred, confidential, and humane, in line with the policy direction of the state government,” he said.
According to him, the framework was aimed not at creating parallel institutions but at strengthening existing structures, improving information flow, and ensuring a coordinated and effective response to human trafficking in Lagos State.
