By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Ogun State has warned residents to be cautious of human traffickers who now exploit digital platforms to lure unsuspecting Nigerians into exploitative and illegal activities abroad.

The Ogun State Comptroller of the Service, Olufunke Odusote, issued the warning while speaking at the March Business Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ogun State Chapter, held in Abeokuta.

The meeting also commemorated this year’s International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8 to recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Odusote revealed that human trafficking syndicates are becoming increasingly sophisticated, noting that online platforms have emerged as one of the latest tools used to recruit victims.

Speaking on the theme “Addressing Human Trafficking and Gender Abuses:
The Role of Nigeria Immigration Service,” she explained that women and girls account for the majority of trafficking victims worldwide.
According to her, victims are often trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude and organ harvesting.

“Human trafficking and gender abuses remain grave violations of human rights, disproportionately affecting women and children. As a frontline border security and migration management agency, the Nigeria Immigration Service occupies a strategic position in preventing, detecting and combating these crimes,” she said.

The comptroller disclosed that several trafficking attempts have been intercepted at airports and land borders through strict screening procedures.

She added that the NIS has strengthened document verification and anti-fraud measures to tackle passport racketeering, identity manipulation, visa fraud, and fake employment or scholarship migration schemes.

“These traffickers are everywhere. They promise jobs abroad and even offer to pay for travel expenses. The offers may sound attractive, but many of them are traps linked to trafficking and other criminal activities,” she warned.

Odusote explained that the digitalisation of NIS processes has helped reduce such crimes by improving document credibility and limiting the mobility of trafficking networks.

However, she noted that tackling human trafficking requires collaboration among various institutions.

The immigration boss said the NIS is working closely with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and international partners to enhance intelligence sharing, joint investigations and victim protection.

She also called on media practitioners and public relations professionals to intensify awareness campaigns aimed at educating families and exposing the tactics used by traffickers.

Odusote commended the Ogun State chapter of NIPR for its contributions to public enlightenment and urged the institute to support advocacy efforts against human trafficking and gender abuse.

“Human trafficking and gender abuses are not just security concerns; they are moral and developmental crises. The Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to securing our borders, protecting vulnerable people, strengthening partnerships and promoting gender equity,” she said.

She further stressed the need for traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society groups to join the campaign against trafficking, assuring that the NIS will continue to strengthen border technology to safeguard the future of the country.