By Deborah Oladeji

The Lagos State Government has inaugurated Local Government Focal Persons and Anti-Human Trafficking Desk Officers of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, LNSC, in a renewed push to combat human trafficking at the grassroots.

The officers were inaugurated yesterday by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, at the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency office in Alausa, Ikeja.

Pedro described the initiative as a strategic shift aimed at preventing human trafficking before it takes root within communities.

He said the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was determined to close the institutional gaps and coordination failures that enable trafficking networks to thrive.

“Human trafficking thrives where institutions are weak, coordination is poor, and early warning systems are absent. As a state, we have resolved that Lagos must not provide such fertile ground for human traffickers,” he said.

According to him, the decision to anchor the anti-trafficking framework at the local government level was deliberate, given that recruitment and exploitation often occur within communities.

Under the new structure, Heads of Legal Units in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas will serve as Local Government Focal Persons for the Lagos State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking, working alongside designated LNSC desk officers in their jurisdictions.

Pedro said the framework reinforced coordination, clear delineation of roles and accountability.

While the heads of legal units provide legal and institutional leadership, the LNSC officers would bring field presence, community intelligence and operational support.

“Together, you form the first line of defence against trafficking in persons at the local level in Lagos State,” he said.

He warned that the appointments came with responsibility, charging the officers to be vigilant, identify trafficking risks early, promptly report suspected cases and ensure effective referrals in line with established procedures.

He also urged sustained engagement with community leaders, schools, religious institutions and market associations to strengthen prevention and early warning systems.

In his welcome address, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, said the inauguration reflected a deliberate policy direction to confront human trafficking through a coordinated, structured and community-responsive approach.

He described trafficking as a grave violation of human rights, noting that Lagos, as a major economic and migration hub, must remain proactive.

Taskforce Coordinator, Mr. Olamide Ibrahim, outlined the operational framework, stressing clarity of roles and disciplined coordination.

He said while Legal Unit heads would provide administrative leadership, LNSC officers would operate strictly within the Corps’ command structure to ensure accountability.

Also speaking, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, commended the state’s efforts.

Its Lagos Zonal Commander, Mrs. Hajarat Tunde-Osho, said the Lagos Taskforce model had been replicated in 24 states, describing the initiative as a practical, decentralised response to human trafficking.