Stakeholders in Ekiti State have called for stronger community participation, improved data collection, sustained public enlightenment and coordinated action among relevant agencies to combat human trafficking, femicide and gender-based violence in the state.
The call was made at a stakeholders’ summit titled “From Silence to Safety: Uniting Ekiti State Against Human Trafficking, Femicide and Gender-Based Violence,” held at Adetiloye Hall, Trade Fair Complex, Old Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti. The event brought together government officials, security agencies, civil society organisations, journalists and community representatives to develop practical strategies for preventing exploitation and protecting vulnerable persons.
The convener and Founder/Executive Director of Restoration for All Inc., Minnesota, United States, Dr. Tolulope Monisola Ola, said the summit was designed to transform discussions on trafficking and gender-based violence into concrete interventions. She explained that Ekiti was deliberately chosen because of her connection with the state and her determination to complement the efforts of the state government and the First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji. Ola disclosed that a research consortium had been established in the state to collect primary and secondary data on trafficking and gender-based violence, stressing that reliable data would help government and other stakeholders identify vulnerable communities and design effective interventions.
Ola urged residents to embrace the principle of “see something, say something,” stressing that communities must not remain silent when they notice suspicious movements, exploitation, abuse or deceptive recruitment activities. She called for stronger neighbourhood vigilance, safe reporting channels and greater support for survivors, while urging traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organisations, schools and community associations to make the prevention of trafficking a continuous responsibility.
The Founder and Executive Director of Bill Wellness International Inc., Minnesota, Dr. Richard Oni, identified awareness, education, proper documentation and collaboration as critical weapons against human trafficking. He warned that poverty, unemployment, economic hardship and unsafe migration could make individuals, particularly young people, vulnerable to traffickers who often lure victims with false promises of jobs, education, marriage or opportunities abroad. He stressed that data collected on trafficking cases must translate into government policies and practical interventions capable of addressing the root causes of the menace.
Representing the wife of the governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Olapeju Babafemi, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to protecting women, children and other vulnerable persons from violence and exploitation. She described the summit as a call to conscience, urging residents to reject the culture of silence and ensure that survivors receive protection, justice, rehabilitation and support instead of stigma. She also appealed to parents and guardians to maintain open communication with their children and pay close attention to sudden changes in their behaviour, relationships and movements.
Babafemi stressed that gender-based violence must not be dismissed as a private family matter, noting that families, schools, religious institutions, communities and government agencies all have roles to play in prevention. She called for stronger reporting and referral mechanisms to ensure that suspected cases are promptly investigated and victims are connected with appropriate medical, legal, psychological and social support services.
Representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Correctional Service and Ministry of Justice also outlined measures being taken to tackle trafficking, drug abuse, exploitation and gender-based violence. The security agencies emphasised the importance of intelligence gathering, investigation, public sensitisation, border vigilance and community cooperation in identifying traffickers and protecting potential victims.
The summit further highlighted the need for aggressive public awareness campaigns, particularly at the grassroots. The Chairperson of Women Journalists, Mrs. Adejumi, called for house-to-house sensitisation, school-based awareness programmes, radio and television campaigns, social media education and community meetings to educate residents about the tactics used by traffickers. She noted that laws would have limited impact if people were unaware of their rights, the warning signs of trafficking and the channels through which abuse could be reported.
Stakeholders recommended that parents should educate children about personal safety, online grooming, suspicious job offers and the dangers of accepting unverified travel or employment arrangements. They also urged young people to verify recruitment agencies and foreign employment offers before accepting them, while communities were encouraged to establish local vigilance networks that can promptly alert relevant authorities to suspected trafficking activities.
The stakeholders also called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, security organisations, schools, healthcare providers, traditional institutions, religious bodies, civil society groups and the media. They advocated regular training for frontline workers, improved survivor protection, accessible legal assistance, temporary shelters and rehabilitation programmes for victims, as well as stronger prosecution of traffickers and perpetrators of gender-based violence.
The summit ended with a commitment to move from conversation to sustained action, with stakeholders urging Ekiti residents to break the culture of silence, report suspected trafficking and abuse, protect vulnerable persons and support survivors. They stressed that human trafficking could only be significantly reduced when communities become active partners in prevention, detection and reporting, while government and security agencies ensure that reported cases receive prompt and effective attention.
The message from the summit was clear: human trafficking thrives in silence, but communities equipped with knowledge, vigilance and the courage to report can help break the cycle and make Ekiti safer for women, children, young people and other vulnerable persons.
