Human Trafficking: Cross River Commissioner Urges Legal Reforms, Stronger Collaboration
By Ekanem Asuquo
As Nigeria joined the global community to mark the 2025 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom, has called for urgent legislative reforms and multi-sectoral collaboration to confront what she described as a deepening crisis of modern-day slavery across the South-South region.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of all Women Affairs Commissioners during the national commemoration in Abuja, Hon. Irom described human trafficking as a "silent emergency" threatening the future of rural children and youth in Nigeria.
She lamented that many young people from underserved communities in Cross River and other South-South states are being deceived by trafficking syndicates under the guise of overseas job offers, only to be trafficked into sexual exploitation and forced labour in Libya, other African countries, and Europe.
“Our rural children are being preyed upon,” Irom warned. “The traffickers take advantage of poverty, ignorance, and the desperation of our people. They promise jobs abroad, but what these children find is slavery and abuse.”
According to her, weak border controls, lenient penalties, and poor community awareness have allowed trafficking networks to flourish. She stressed the need for tighter laws, improved law enforcement coordination, and aggressive public education campaigns, particularly in vulnerable rural areas.
She also urged lawmakers at both national and sub-national levels to prioritize anti-trafficking legislation, while traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society must join hands in safeguarding young Nigerians from exploitation.
“There must be synergy between government agencies to prosecute offenders and ensure victims are rehabilitated and reintegrated. Anything short of that means we are complicit,” she added.
The high-level event also featured remarks by the Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Hon. Binta Adamu Bello, who lamented the evolving tactics of traffickers and called for a nationwide movement to end the illicit trade in human lives.
Hon. Bello applauded Cross River State for its aggressive response to trafficking, presenting an award to the State Commandant of NAPTIP, Dr. Godwin Eyake, for his outstanding performance. She noted that Cross River has emerged as one of Nigeria’s top five states in combating trafficking-related crimes.
Despite this recognition, Hon. Bello cautioned that Cross River remains a major flashpoint—both as a source and transit zone for trafficked persons. She called for increased vigilance, stakeholder coordination, and investment in victim support services.
As the world continues to grapple with the grim realities of human trafficking, both officials agreed that solutions must be rooted in prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships that span communities, governments, and international actors.
