The Kwara Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has inaugurated a sensitisation campaign in collaboration with the Media Campaign Against Human Trafficking (MeCAHT).
The campaign aims to educate key stakeholders on the dangers of human trafficking and irregular migration, focusing particularly on teachers and students in Kwara State.
NAPTIP State Commander, Mr Mustapha Ajara, said this on Thursday in Ilorin during an inception meeting with stakeholders from the education and security sectors.
Ajara explained that the initiative targeted teachers, who would then educate students on the risks associated with human trafficking and irregular migration across schools in the state.
“We observed that this issue needs to be addressed from the grassroots. That is why this partnership with MeCAHT is essential,” Ajara said during the event.
He added that the project was being implemented in only three states, Kwara, Benue, and Nasarawa, with Kwara selected as one of the pilot locations for the programme.
Ajara emphasised the need to educate children, especially those aged 13 to 18, on the deceptive tactics traffickers used to lure unsuspecting victims.
“Human traffickers make the process appear attractive. Many victims realise too late that they have fallen into danger,” the commander warned.
He said the campaign sought to empower young people to recognise and resist trafficking attempts while spreading awareness within their communities.
Ajara added that teachers selected for the training would be those with several years left in service to ensure continuity and sustainability of the awareness initiative.
“The idea is to train mid-career teachers who will pass this knowledge to successive generations of students,” he explained.
The current meeting, Ajara said, was aimed at sensitising key stakeholders ahead of the actual teacher training scheduled to begin on Nov. 17.
He noted that while no challenges had yet been encountered, human trafficking and irregular migration remained serious social and economic threats nationwide.
“Many people are unaware of the dangers, and some still believe migration through illegal means is worth the risk,” Ajara stated.
He called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society groups, and communities to effectively combat human trafficking across Nigeria.
In her remarks, Ms. Caroline Imabon, Programme Officer for the Safe Means Project under MeCAHT, said the initiative was implemented with support from the Shared Foundation.
She said the project aimed to protect individuals from the risks of irregular migration and human trafficking through sustained awareness and education campaigns.
“Many people migrate without proper documentation or use unauthorised routes, which often leads to smuggling or trafficking,” Imabon explained.
She noted that a significant number of Nigerians had been trafficked both within the country and across international borders, including Europe and other regions.
“The consequences are severe, victims suffer trauma, physical harm, and long-term psychosocial challenges,” she said, describing awareness as a key preventive tool.
Imabon explained that teachers in selected Kwara schools would receive training on the realities of irregular migration and trafficking, along with prevention strategies.
“These teachers will cascade the knowledge to students, who will spread it to families and communities, multiplying the impact,” she added.
She stressed that information was empowerment, and awareness could help protect more Nigerians from unsafe migration and exploitation.
“Combating human trafficking requires collective action. That is why MeCAHT engages critical stakeholders across education, migration, and anti-trafficking sectors.
“Together, through shared responsibility, we can build safer pathways for citizens and eliminate human trafficking in our society,” Imabon said.
