By Esther Olaoluwa |
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has called for stronger collaboration among governments, law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector to combat the growing threat of cyber-enabled human trafficking, warning that organised criminal networks are increasingly exploiting digital platforms to recruit and traffic vulnerable people.
The organisation made the call in a statement to commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on July 30 under the global theme, “Trapped Behind the Scam.”
Online Scams Fuel New Forms of Human Trafficking
ANEEJ said this year’s theme highlights the growing exploitation of victims through online scams and cyber-enabled criminal activities, where traffickers use fake job offers, fraudulent migration opportunities and deceptive online advertisements to lure vulnerable people into internet fraud, cryptocurrency scams, identity theft and other digital crimes.
The organisation noted that Nigeria remains one of the countries significantly affected by human trafficking, with women, girls and unemployed young people continuing to face exploitation within the country and across international borders.
According to ANEEJ, victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude, forced begging, organ trafficking and, increasingly, cyber-enabled criminal activities.
Citing reports by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the organisation said Nigeria remains a major country of origin, transit and destination for trafficking in persons, while the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) continues to rescue victims and prosecute traffickers.
Criminal Networks Adapting Through Digital Platforms
ANEEJ observed that although government interventions, community engagement and support from development partners have contributed to reducing trafficking in some communities, criminal networks have continued to adapt by increasingly using social media platforms, messaging applications and fake overseas employment opportunities to target young Nigerians seeking better economic prospects.
It said the evolving trend underscores the urgent need to strengthen digital awareness, improve cybercrime investigations and enhance systems for identifying and protecting victims.
ANEEJ Highlights Ongoing Interventions
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to preventing human trafficking, protecting survivors, promoting accountability and disrupting the illicit financial flows that sustain trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime.
According to ANEEJ, it has expanded its interventions over the years to address the interconnected challenges of human trafficking, irregular migration, cyber-enabled crime and illicit financial flows through programmes supported by the UK Home Office, the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC).
The organisation said its interventions have focused particularly on Edo State, where Benin City has historically been identified as one of Nigeria’s major trafficking hotspots.
It noted that it has worked with government agencies, community leaders, youth groups and civil society organisations to promote public awareness, provide psychosocial support, encourage livelihood development, strengthen skills acquisition and improve economic opportunities for vulnerable young people, returnees and survivors of trafficking.
Poverty, Unemployment Increase Vulnerability
ANEEJ warned that the emergence of online scam compounds has introduced a dangerous dimension to organised crime, with many victims lured by promises of legitimate employment, education and overseas migration before being forced into cyber fraud through intimidation, coercion and violence.
The organisation said tackling trafficking requires stronger digital literacy programmes, cybercrime prevention initiatives, financial investigations and more effective victim identification mechanisms.
It added that poverty, unemployment, corruption, insecurity, weak governance, limited access to education and inadequate economic opportunities continue to expose many Nigerians to trafficking and irregular migration.
According to the organisation, unless these structural challenges are addressed, organised criminal networks will continue to exploit vulnerable populations.
Following the Money Critical to Combating Trafficking
ANEEJ referenced recent findings by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime linking illicit financial flows to human trafficking and migrant smuggling, noting that trafficking remains a highly profitable criminal enterprise sustained by sophisticated financial networks.
The organisation stressed that tracing, freezing and recovering illicit proceeds generated from trafficking are essential to dismantling criminal syndicates and preventing them from profiting from human exploitation.
It said the position aligns with its broader advocacy against illicit financial flows, which continue to deprive Nigeria of resources needed for education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation and social protection while fuelling corruption, organised crime and weak governance.
ANEEJ also highlighted its recent capacity-building initiatives for civil society organisations and journalists aimed at strengthening investigative reporting, evidence-based advocacy and public accountability in combating illicit financial flows.
ANEEJ Calls for Collective Action
The organisation expressed optimism that sustained investments in education, youth employment, digital skills development, entrepreneurship and community resilience would reduce the vulnerability of young Nigerians to traffickers and online criminal recruiters.
It maintained that an effective response to trafficking requires a comprehensive approach that combines prevention, victim protection, economic empowerment, anti-corruption reforms, digital security, financial intelligence and stronger international cooperation.
ANEEJ called on the Federal Government, the Edo State Government, NAPTIP, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, the National Cybercrime Centre, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, educational institutions, the media and the private sector to strengthen collective action against trafficking in persons.
The organisation specifically urged stakeholders to intensify digital awareness campaigns targeting young people and job seekers, improve victim identification and rehabilitation services, expand youth employment and entrepreneurship programmes in vulnerable communities, strengthen the prosecution of traffickers and online criminal networks, enhance cross-border cooperation and intelligence sharing, trace illicit proceeds derived from trafficking, and invest in community resilience and survivor-led prevention initiatives.
ANEEJ said sustained collaboration among governments, law enforcement agencies, development partners and communities remains essential to dismantling trafficking networks, protecting vulnerable people and creating a future where every Nigerian can pursue opportunities in safety, dignity and freedom.
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