NAPTIP begins school campaign in Ogun to combat child trafficking, inaugurates vanguard club, plans outreach to 50 schools with partners’ support

The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello, has underscored the need to involve school-age children in efforts to combat child trafficking across Nigeria.

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Bello, represented by the Ogun State Commander of NAPTIP, Abosede Jimoh, spoke on Thursday during a sensitisation visit and the inauguration of the Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Persons (ATIVAP) Vanguard Club at Kobape Grammar School, Abeokuta.

She said the initiative forms part of a broader awareness programme that will cover 50 schools across Ogun State, implemented by NAPTIP in collaboration with the Ogun State Government and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), with funding from the Government of the Netherlands.

According to the DG, recruiting school children into the anti-trafficking campaign is critical because traffickers often target minors and may even be people known to them.

She urged students to “raise the flag or speak up when they notice any untoward moves of suspected child traffickers.”

“The importance of raising awareness on issues of human trafficking among school children cannot be overemphasised, because they are the target of traffickers, who often capitalise on their innocence and poor background,” she said.

“This programme is aimed at enhancing their knowledge of the indicators of child trafficking, the tactics of traffickers, and equipping them with the skills to avoid falling victim.

It also ensures that when they return to their communities, they will spread awareness to peers and family, and report any suspicious activities.”

Bello disclosed that ATIVAP clubs were inaugurated in 10 schools last year, while 15 schools had been scheduled for the first phase of this year, with four already visited.

The Project Officer of the School Anti-Trafficking Education and Empowerment Project, Samuel Okoroji, said the programme is being implemented by ICMPD and NAPTIP in five states — Ogun, Benue, Delta, Edo and Enugu — with a target of reaching 50 schools in each state.

Okoroji noted that the project aims to deliver anti-human trafficking messages while building the capacity of children and other stakeholders to identify and combat trafficking.

The Principal of Kobape Grammar School, Mrs Adeyinka Akinyele, commended NAPTIP and its partners, expressing optimism that the outreach would help reduce child trafficking.

A 2024 report by the U.S. Department of State described human trafficking in Nigeria as a “critical, multifaceted crisis,” noting that the country remains a source, transit and destination for victims.

Also read: NAPTIP Uncovers Shocking Child Trafficking Syndicate

While conviction rates have improved, Nigeria is still on the Tier 2 Watchlist, indicating significant efforts but incomplete compliance with minimum anti-trafficking standards.