LAGOS (Sundiata Post) – The Lagos State Anti-Human Trafficking Legal Hub on Sunday underscored the need to amplify voices in the fight against human trafficking.
The hub, a volunteer organisation established to support victims of trafficking, noted that the vice affected millions globally, robbing them of their fundamental freedoms.
In a statement signed by its Director of Programmes, Mrs Tessy Osakwe, and issued to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos, the hub called for urgent and coordinated efforts to combat the menace.
“Human trafficking is a complex and pervasive issue that manifests in many forms, including forced labour, sexual exploitation, and involuntary domestic servitude.
“The repercussions extend far beyond the immediate victims, impacting families, communities, and society as a whole.
“One of the most heartbreaking aspects is that trafficking often thrives in the shadows of indifference.
“Many victims live among us—hidden in plain sight—suffering in silence while society turns a blind eye,” she said.
According to Osakwe, traffickers prey on the most vulnerable, those facing poverty, discrimination, or lack of access to education.
She added that in some cases, traffickers were even family members or close friends, who exploited victims’ weaknesses and perpetuated a cycle of abuse that was incredibly difficult to break.
The hub, therefore, urged collective action among stakeholders to ensure that human trafficking was decisively addressed.
“Together, we can create a world where freedom and dignity are universal rights, not privileges.
“As a community, we must come together to tackle the root causes of trafficking.
“This includes advocating for policies that protect vulnerable populations, raising awareness of the signs of trafficking, and supporting organisations involved in prevention and recovery,” she said.
She stressed that education played a vital role—not only in informing potential victims of the risks they face, but also in empowering them to seek help.
The hub also called on stakeholders to hold accountable all those involved in perpetuating the crime, and to dismantle the networks that profitted from human suffering (NAN)
