OPAY AD
ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • PT Jobs
  • Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store
Monday, June 16, 2025
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Gender
  • Investigations
    • All
    • Blood on Uniforms
    An unnamed man discussing with his pregnant wife after their routine excercise at the Alimosho General Hospital, Lagos Photo credit: Oluwakemi Adelagun-Olaoti

    Supporting Dads: Flexible jobs help Nigerian men attend antenatal care

    Environmental condition of communities in Damaturu and Potiskum, LGAs, Yobe. Photo Credit: Sunday Awosoro//Premium Times.

    Malaria’s Deadly Grip: Poor sanitation undermines govt efforts in Yobe, Kebbi

    Local miners at Ayilamo community

    INVESTIGATION: How Chinese, Nigerian firms destroy miners’ hopes in Benue

    ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye

    Why Africa must fast-track gender justice, women’s empowerment – Chichi Aniagolu

    A section of the warehouse of Goddy Ukwu, an LBA.

    Cocoa Boom or Forest Doom: As prices rise, farmers encroach on Nigeria’s conservation areas

    Executive of Binance Holdings Ltd, Tigran Gambaryan, at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday... Photo: NAN

    Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan’s healthcare journey in Nigeria: What the records show

    Ibeku PHC. (PHOTO CREDIT: Mariam Ileyemi)

    Beyond Borders: How Ogun’s healthcare crisis pushes Nigerians to neighbouring country

    Tigran Gambaryan

    EXCLUSIVE: How Biden, other U.S. officials pressured Nigeria to release Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan

    A group of GGSS Jangebe students inspect their hostels for the first time since their abduction in 2021. Picture: Qosim Suleiman

    SPECIAL REPORT: Four Years After Mass Abduction: Jangebe students battle for education, hope

  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Trade Insights
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
    • All
    • Analysis
    • Columns
    • Contributors
    • Editorial
    Abuja City Gate, FCT

    EDITORIAL: Reining in Abuja elite property tax evaders

    Louis Odion writes on Kongi at 90.

    Uncle Sam at 90: The magic of singularity principle, By Louis Odion

    Wole Olaoye writes about e-jackasses who are on the prowl.

    Glorious payback for June 12, By Wole Olaoye

    What petrol subsidy did to us, By Joshua Ocheja

    What petrol subsidy did to us, By Joshua Ocheja

    Festus Adedayo writes about Obasa, Aláàfin Ṣàngó and the capture of Lagos.

    June 12 wounds and Nigeria’s search for closure, By Festus Adedayo

    Fredrick Nwabufo writes about President Tinubu and national security.

    Public-private sector consensus as catalyst for Nigeria’s economic prosperity, By O’tega Ogra & Fredrick Nwabufo

  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
    • Health Specials
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
    • Casino
      • Non AAMS
  • Elections
    • 2024 Ondo Governorship Election
    • 2024 Edo Governorship Election
    • Presidential
    • Gubernatorial
  • Home
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Gender
  • Investigations
    • All
    • Blood on Uniforms
    An unnamed man discussing with his pregnant wife after their routine excercise at the Alimosho General Hospital, Lagos Photo credit: Oluwakemi Adelagun-Olaoti

    Supporting Dads: Flexible jobs help Nigerian men attend antenatal care

    Environmental condition of communities in Damaturu and Potiskum, LGAs, Yobe. Photo Credit: Sunday Awosoro//Premium Times.

    Malaria’s Deadly Grip: Poor sanitation undermines govt efforts in Yobe, Kebbi

    Local miners at Ayilamo community

    INVESTIGATION: How Chinese, Nigerian firms destroy miners’ hopes in Benue

    ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye

    Why Africa must fast-track gender justice, women’s empowerment – Chichi Aniagolu

    A section of the warehouse of Goddy Ukwu, an LBA.

    Cocoa Boom or Forest Doom: As prices rise, farmers encroach on Nigeria’s conservation areas

    Executive of Binance Holdings Ltd, Tigran Gambaryan, at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday... Photo: NAN

    Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan’s healthcare journey in Nigeria: What the records show

    Ibeku PHC. (PHOTO CREDIT: Mariam Ileyemi)

    Beyond Borders: How Ogun’s healthcare crisis pushes Nigerians to neighbouring country

    Tigran Gambaryan

    EXCLUSIVE: How Biden, other U.S. officials pressured Nigeria to release Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan

    A group of GGSS Jangebe students inspect their hostels for the first time since their abduction in 2021. Picture: Qosim Suleiman

    SPECIAL REPORT: Four Years After Mass Abduction: Jangebe students battle for education, hope

  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Trade Insights
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
    • All
    • Analysis
    • Columns
    • Contributors
    • Editorial
    Abuja City Gate, FCT

    EDITORIAL: Reining in Abuja elite property tax evaders

    Louis Odion writes on Kongi at 90.

    Uncle Sam at 90: The magic of singularity principle, By Louis Odion

    Wole Olaoye writes about e-jackasses who are on the prowl.

    Glorious payback for June 12, By Wole Olaoye

    What petrol subsidy did to us, By Joshua Ocheja

    What petrol subsidy did to us, By Joshua Ocheja

    Festus Adedayo writes about Obasa, Aláàfin Ṣàngó and the capture of Lagos.

    June 12 wounds and Nigeria’s search for closure, By Festus Adedayo

    Fredrick Nwabufo writes about President Tinubu and national security.

    Public-private sector consensus as catalyst for Nigeria’s economic prosperity, By O’tega Ogra & Fredrick Nwabufo

  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
    • Health Specials
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
    • Casino
      • Non AAMS
  • Elections
    • 2024 Ondo Governorship Election
    • 2024 Edo Governorship Election
    • Presidential
    • Gubernatorial
Premium Times Nigeria
MTN AD
FCTA AD
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
L-R: Mr Sam Offiah, Zonal Commander of NAPTIP in Benin presenting advocacy materials to students of YWCA Secondary School, Benin during the inauguration of anti-human trafficking vanguard club in the school

L-R: Mr Sam Offiah, Zonal Commander of NAPTIP in Benin presenting advocacy materials to students of YWCA Secondary School, Benin during the inauguration of anti-human trafficking vanguard club in the school

Breaking chain of human trafficking in Edo via student-led initiative

A fresh, student-driven initiative is emerging to challenge the longstanding menace of human trafficking.

byUsman AliyuandAgency Report
May 18, 2025
Reading Time: 5 mins read
0

In the heartbeat of the nation, Edo, once infamously known as the epicentre of human trafficking in Nigeria, a new kind of resistance is taking root.

Not in courtrooms or campaign offices, but in classrooms.

A fresh, student-driven initiative is emerging to challenge the longstanding menace of human trafficking.

Dangote AD

Through the launch of Anti-Human Trafficking and Violence Against Persons (A.TIPVAP) Vanguard Clubs in 50 public secondary schools across the state, young people are being empowered to become frontline advocates in a battle that has stolen the futures of countless boys and girls.

This bold move is part of the School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP), a collaborative effort between the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), with funding support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Audience Feedback Survey

The launch events brought together a diverse coalition of stakeholders, government officials, security agencies, educators, students, and civil society actors, united by a shared urgency and a common cause.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion

Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it.

Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you.

Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation.

Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories —no paywalls, just quality journalism.

And for Edo, the time for action is now.

According to the Global Slavery Index 2023, over 1.6 million people are estimated to be living in modern slavery in Nigeria, with Edo featuring prominently in national and international trafficking networks.

Join the Premium Times WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.

Open in WhatsApp

Similarly, NAPTIP reports that as of 2022, over 60 per cent of female returnees from Libya and Europe identified Edo as their origin. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) also notes that Edo accounts for over 50 per cent of irregular migrants assisted back to Nigeria since 2017.

These figures underscore the urgent need for early intervention and targeted awareness campaigns, particularly among young people, who remain the primary targets of traffickers.

At the inauguration of the Vanguard clubs, NAPTIP’s Zonal Commander in Benin, Sam Offiah, delivered a sobering address.

Speaking directly to the students, he warned of the deceptive tactics traffickers often employed to lure victims.

“Human trafficking is dehumanising. It reduces you to a commodity,” he said with conviction.

“Anyone who asks you to leave school and promises you freedom, riches abroad, or a better life without informing your parents is a trafficker.”

A lawyer by profession, Mr Offiah recounted harrowing tales of young girls seduced by fake job offers, only to find themselves trapped in cycles of sexual exploitation, forced labour, or even organ harvesting.

His message was clear: awareness is the first line of defence, and education is the most powerful weapon in this fight.

Students showing red card to human trafficking in Edo shortly after their inauguration as members of the anti-human trafficking vanguard club
Students showing red card to human trafficking in Edo shortly after their inauguration as members of the anti-human trafficking vanguard club

“We are here to inaugurate this vanguard so that you know these dangers and help spread the message. You are not meant to feed your parents. You are meant to stay in school and pursue your dreams,” he said.

The NAPTIP boss emphasised the critical role of students in spreading awareness, hence the decision to create the initiative.

“You must take the message home, to your classmates and your friends. When you hear someone promise jobs in Europe through Libya, tell them the truth.

“Over 80 per cent die crossing the Sahara. Some drink their urine. Some are never buried. Vultures feast on their remains,” he asserted.

He also alerted the public to the new trends in human trafficking, “which is exploiting the digital space to lure young Nigerians into ‘modern-day’ slavery.

“We are seeing an upsurge in internet trafficking. Traffickers now use fake online profiles, phishing tactics, and blackmail with nude photos to manipulate and coerce victims,” he said.

Representing ICMPD, Elvis Ederibhalo, project officer of STEAP for Edo, explained the broader objective of the initiative.

“We are here because we believe that education is the strongest weapon we have to prevent trafficking. The vanguard you are joining today is not just a club. It’s a movement.

“You will be trained to identify trafficking tactics, speak up, and protect yourselves and others,” he told the students.

Mr Ederibhalo explained how a recent survey by the ICMPD revealed that 75 per cent of rescued victims of human trafficking were school-age children, which underscored the need to cut it from the root.

Members of the anti-human trafficking vanguard club in Ihogbe Secondary School, Benin City

Members of the anti-human trafficking vanguard club in Ihogbe Secondary School, Benin City

On the part of the government, Mercy Imasuen-Isibor, desk officer for STEAP at the Edo State Ministry of Education, hailed the project as a strategic step in combating the state’s reputation as a trafficking hub.

“This campaign is timely and crucial. By establishing these vanguards, we now have in-school ambassadors who will carry out sensitisation activities.

“They will be trained to recognise trafficking strategies and report suspicious movements.

“We are deliberately involving school authorities, parents, and community leaders so that the message goes beyond school walls,” she said.

Mrs Imasuen-Isibor further explained that the education ministry would ensure the sustainability of the clubs by monitoring their activities and integrating the anti-trafficking agenda into existing school support frameworks.

“With 50 schools in this first phase, our goal is to eventually expand to every school in Edo State. This way, we can ensure a systemic cultural change,” the official said.

Representing the Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, his aide, Benedict Omordon, described the initiative as a welcome development

“If you don’t inform the youth, you deform them. The Assembly takes trafficking seriously and is working on laws to protect the vulnerable.

“Human trafficking is not always about being taken abroad. It also happens within our neighbourhoods.

“Anyone forced into begging, street hawking, or house help without consent is a victim,” he said.

In the same vein, the principals of participating schools are not left out, as they also enthusiastically welcomed the vanguard clubs.

The Principal of Oba Ewuare Grammar School, Victor Orumwense, called the move “historic and transformative.”

“Human trafficking is a crime against humanity,” he told students during the launch.

“It strips people of their agency. These clubs will help build student consciousness and resilience. I hope every student here will see themselves as an ambassador of light against this darkness.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by other principals in Emotan College, Oredo Girls, Oba Akenzua II, Ihogbe, Egor, Angelican Girls and YWCA schools, among others, who pledged institutional support to sustain the vanguard activities.

Perhaps, the most powerful testimony came from Excellence Osamuyimen, president of the new anti-trafficking club at Oredo Girls Secondary School. In a stirring speech, she called on her peers to stay vigilant.

“We understand the hard choices out there. But human trafficking is a crime that ruins dreams. It dehumanises. It promises freedom, but brings death and disease.

“Our parents should not be our reason to fall victim. We must finish school, become professionals, and help others rise,” he said.

Osamuyimen applauded NAPTIP, ICMPD, and the ministry of education for choosing her school, saying, “We will not disappoint you. We will take this message to every corner.”

While the launch of anti-trafficking clubs in Edo schools is an encouraging step, stakeholders agree that it is only the beginning.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, 46 per cent of detected victims in West Africa are children, with girls especially vulnerable.

Many fall prey to traffickers under the weight of poverty, peer pressure, family expectations, or manipulation.

READ ALSO: NAPTIP begins rehabilitation of woman rescued from Iraqi taskmaster

STEAP’s approach, rooted in education, peer-to-peer advocacy, and school-community partnerships. offers a promising, sustainable path forward.

With sustained support from NAPTIP, ICMPD, and international partners like the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the hope is that today’s students will rise as tomorrow’s defenders: informed, resilient, and unwavering in their stand against exploitation.

If Edo succeeds, it could become a model for other regions across Nigeria, where trafficking networks continue to adapt and evolve.

For now, a seed has been planted in 50 schools. And in those classrooms, among chalkboards, uniforms, and morning assemblies, a quiet resistance is growing.

One student at a time. One voice at a time. Until the chain is finally broken.

(NANFEATURES)

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • WhatsApp
  • Telegram
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Print


Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

At Premium Times, we firmly believe in the importance of high-quality journalism. Recognizing that not everyone can afford costly news subscriptions, we are dedicated to delivering meticulously researched, fact-checked news that remains freely accessible to all.

Whether you turn to Premium Times for daily updates, in-depth investigations into pressing national issues, or entertaining trending stories, we value your readership.

It’s essential to acknowledge that news production incurs expenses, and we take pride in never placing our stories behind a prohibitive paywall.

Would you consider supporting us with a modest contribution on a monthly basis to help maintain our commitment to free, accessible news? 

Make Contribution



TEXT AD: Call Willie - +2348098788999






PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

Nigeria committed to deepening trade, investment ties with US – Envoy

Next Post

Jigawa hosts maiden youth summit on Agriculture and Climate Change

Usman Aliyu

Usman Aliyu

Agency Report

Agency Report

More News

Former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele.

EFCC arraigns Emefiele for stealing, unlawful acquisition of 753 housing units

June 16, 2025
Tehran attack (PHOTO CREDIT: NDTV)

UPDATED: Casualties rise in Israel, Iran as war continues

June 16, 2025
Nigerian senators during plenary at the newly-renovated chamber

Midterm: Confusion at Nigerian Senate as Akpabio, Bamidele contradict themselves on number of bills passed

June 16, 2025
Supporters of Mr Shettima reacted angrily with some hurling chairs to disrupt the meeting

Protests over fate of VP Shettima mar APC North-east zonal meeting

June 16, 2025
Abuja City Gate, FCT

EDITORIAL: Reining in Abuja elite property tax evaders

June 16, 2025
President Bola Tinubu at a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives

Benue Massacre: Tinubu tasks security chiefs to end violence as Pope prays for victims

June 15, 2025
Leave Comment

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps in Nigeria
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game

Projects & Partnerships

  • AUN-PT Data Hub
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • Parliament Watch
  • Panama Papers
  • AGAHRIN
  • #PandoraPapers
  • #ParadisePapers
  • #SuisseSecrets
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2025 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • Elections
    • 2024 Ondo Governorship Election
    • 2024 Edo Governorship Election
    • Presidential & NASS
    • Gubernatorial & State House
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • Gender
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Trade Insights
    • Business Specials
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
    • Casino
      • Non AAMS
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • AUN-PT Data Hub
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • SuisseSecrets
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • PT Hausa
  • The Membership Club
  • DONATE
  • About Us
  • Dubawa NG
  • Advert Rates
  • PT Jobs
  • Digital Store
  • Contact Us

All content is Copyrighted © 2025 The Premium Times, Nigeria