LASG Introduces Specialised Anti-Human Trafficking Officers

The Lagos State Government has inaugurated Local Government Focal Persons alongside Anti-Human Trafficking Desk Officers of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), reinforcing its efforts to tackle human trafficking at the grassroots level.

The officers were inaugurated on Monday by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), at the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency office in Alausa, Ikeja. He described the initiative as a proactive strategy aimed at preventing trafficking before it becomes entrenched within communities.

Pedro stated that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is determined to eliminate the institutional weaknesses and poor coordination that enable human trafficking to thrive. He stressed that Lagos would not allow such gaps to create safe havens for traffickers.

According to him, the new approach deliberately brings anti-trafficking efforts to the local government level, where recruitment and operations often occur. Under the framework, heads of legal units across the state’s 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas have been designated as Local Government Focal Persons for the Lagos State Task Force Against Human Trafficking. They will work closely with LNSC Anti-Human Trafficking Desk Officers assigned to their respective jurisdictions.

Pedro noted that the structure strengthens coordination, defines responsibilities, and ensures accountability. He explained that while the heads of legal units provide legal and institutional leadership, the LNSC officers contribute community intelligence, field presence, and operational support, forming the first line of defence against trafficking at the local level.

He urged the newly appointed officers to carry out their duties with diligence, integrity, and a strong sense of public service, adding that local councils must become environments where traffickers find no shelter and victims receive protection, support, and justice.

In his remarks, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Hameed Oyenuga, said the inauguration reflects a deliberate policy shift toward a coordinated, structured, and community-focused response to human trafficking.

Also speaking, the Task Force Coordinator, Olamide Ibrahim, outlined the operational framework guiding the roles of the Local Government Focal Persons and LNSC Desk Officers. He emphasised the importance of clear role definition, respect for institutional mandates, and disciplined coordination. Ibrahim explained that while legal unit heads would lead on legal and administrative matters, LNSC Desk Officers would continue to function within the corps’ established command structure to maintain accountability.

He added that all responses must remain victim-centred, confidential, and humane, particularly as many cases involve women and children.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons commended the state government for strengthening its anti-trafficking measures. Representing the Lagos Zonal Command, Mrs Hajarat Tunde-Osho described the initiative as a crucial step toward decentralised and multi-sectoral responses to trafficking. She noted that the move translates political commitment into concrete action and supports sustained prevention and outreach efforts across the state.