From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, has called for increased international cooperation, heightened digital awareness, and stronger financial investigations to address the growing threat of cyber-enabled human trafficking as the world observes the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30.
This was outlined in a statement from the Network Secretariat, which was shared with the media in Kaduna today (July 30).
This year’s global theme, “Trapped Behind the Scam,” emphasizes how criminal groups are increasingly recruiting, transporting, and coercing vulnerable individuals into online fraud, cryptocurrency scams, and identity theft under the false guise of job offers and migration opportunities.
In the statement, ANEEJ highlighted that Nigeria remains one of the countries heavily impacted by human trafficking.
Thousands of Nigerians, especially women, girls, and unemployed youth, continue to be trafficked domestically and across borders for sexual exploitation, forced labor, domestic servitude, forced begging, organ trafficking, and more recently, cyber-enabled crimes.
Referring to the *United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC*, the organization stated that Nigeria continues to be a key source, transit, and destination country for trafficking. Meanwhile, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, consistently rescues hundreds of victims and prosecutes traffickers each year.
The group expressed concern that Edo State, with *Benin City as its capital*, has remained one of Nigeria’s most prominent trafficking hotspots for decades. Although government initiatives like establishing the Edo State Migration Agency, engaging communities, and forming international partnerships have made some progress, ANEEJ pointed out that trafficking networks have evolved, now using social media, messaging apps, and fake overseas job offers to deceive young people.
“Behind many fraudulent online job posts and fake migration schemes are organized criminal networks exploiting desperate job seekers and migrants,” ANEEJ stated.
The organization observed that the rise of online scam groups and cyber-enabled trafficking adds a new and dangerous dimension to organized crime. Victims are increasingly lured with promises of legitimate work but end up trapped in criminal operations where they are forced to commit online fraud under threats and violence.
ANEEJ emphasized that this trend underscores the urgent need to improve digital literacy, cybercrime prevention, financial investigations, and mechanisms for victim identification.
Over the years, ANEEJ has expanded its efforts to address the intersection of human trafficking, irregular migration, cyber-enabled crimes, and illicit financial flows. Supported by the UK Home Office, the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria, and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), the organization has focused on prevention, community resilience, and economic empowerment—especially in Edo State.
Collaborating with government agencies, community leaders, youth groups, and civil society, ANEEJ has promoted public awareness, psychosocial support, skills development, and livelihood programs for vulnerable young people, returnees, and survivors.
The group also referenced a recent *UNODC report on Tracking Illicit Financial Flows Linked to Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling*, emphasizing that trafficking is not only a human rights violation but also a lucrative business run by complex financial networks.
“Following the money is therefore critical to dismantling trafficking syndicates and preventing criminals from profiting from human exploitation,” ANEEJ said.
Furthermore, ANEEJ stated that poverty, unemployment, corruption, weak governance, and limited economic opportunities continue to increase Nigerians’ susceptibility to trafficking. In June and July 2026, the organization trained civil society groups and journalists on investigating illicit financial flows through investigative reporting and advocacy.
As Benin City transitions from being primarily a trafficking hotspot to a hub of resilience and survivor empowerment, ANEEJ said sustained investments in education, youth employment, digital skills, and entrepreneurship remain vital.
The organization called on the *Federal Government, Edo State Government, NAPTIP, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, EFCC, NFIU, National Cybercrime Center, international partners, traditional institutions, faith-based organizations, the media, and the private sector* to strengthen collective efforts.
Specifically, ANEEJ urged stakeholders to:
– Strengthen digital awareness campaigns targeted at young people and job seekers.
– Improve victim identification, protection, and rehabilitation services.
– Expand youth employment and entrepreneurship programs in vulnerable communities.
– Increase prosecution of traffickers and online criminal networks.
– Increase cross-border cooperation and intelligence sharing. Trace, freeze, and recover illicit proceeds linked to trafficking.
– Invest in community resilience and survivor-led prevention efforts.
“Together, we can expose the scams, protect vulnerable people, follow the money, dismantle trafficking networks, and build a Nigeria where everyone can pursue opportunities with dignity, safety, and hope,” the statement concluded.
