“He told me I will make my own money.” These were the words of John Austin, one of 231 Nigerians recently rescued from a cybercrime trafficking ring in Ghana. Like many others, he was lured with promises of wealth but ended up enslaved by false hope and forced labour. In Nigeria, human trafficking has grown into a silent crisis, feeding off economic desperation, consistently rising unemployment, and weak institutions. 

Victims are often young people seeking better opportunities, unaware they are being pulled into a web of exploitation. Their liberty is stolen not just by traffickers, but by a society that has failed to offer them viable paths to a better life. To curb human trafficking, the Nigerian government must work collaboratively with civil society organisations (CSOs), state ministries, departments, and agencies at both the federal and state levels to make the economy viable through inclusive development policies.

Nigeria has been labelled a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking. Traffickers exploit people, especially women and children, in sex trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude, online scam operations, and baby factories disguised as orphanages, maternity homes, or religious centres. Children form the largest number of victims trafficked, both internally and externally. Internal trafficking is more prevalent at 65 per cent, while external trafficking is at 35 per cent. This pattern reveals not just the breadth of the crisis but the internal vulnerabilities that allow it to persist within our communities.

A common tactic used by traffickers is the promise of a job, marriage, or vocational training abroad. These offers, cloaked in the dream of foreign exchange and economic salvation, seem like a lifeline to many.  Tragically, even some parents and guardians, driven by collapsed family values, poverty, and the lure of wealth, become complicit in the exploitation of their children. 

Nigeria’s ports and waterways have become major transit points for smuggling victims out of the country. The Nigerian Immigration Service must conduct a comprehensive assessment of all official and unofficial entry and exit points, with a particular focus on identifying security gaps at ports and waterways. 

In addition, mandatory presentation of valid means of identification for all travellers, and for minors not accompanied by their parents, a notarized consent letter validated by the immigration office should be enforced. Advanced smart border control systems should be deployed, including biometric scanners and digital verification tools capable of detecting forged documents. Furthermore, round-the-clock surveillance systems must be installed and continuously monitored to deter illicit activity and curb corrupt practices by border officials.

When people live in extreme poverty, without jobs or basic support, they are forced into desperate decisions, not because they choose to, but because the system offers no alternatives. This is where freedom is lost. True freedom means having the power to decide how to live your life, but factors such as poverty, corruption, insecurity, and climate-related displacement strip people of that power. They are pushed into situations where traffickers offer false hope—promises of jobs or a better life—only to trap them in abuse and exploitation. 

To combat this, the Nigerian government must invest in grassroots economic development by reducing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and establishing policies that encourage small businesses and startups. Microgrants, low-interest loans, and access to community capital, especially for youth and women, should also be provided. A society where individuals can earn a dignified living is one where traffickers find no easy victims. Economic freedom is the most potent antidote to trafficking, as it empowers individuals to exercise their autonomy and say no.

Community-based awareness, prevention, and vigilance are equally crucial. Local knowledge and early detection can prevent trafficking before it materialises. In partnership with civil society organisations (CSOs) and the private sector, the government must invest in grassroots campaigns that equip citizens with tools such as toll-free hotlines, mobile reporting apps, and multilingual awareness flyers to identify and report suspicious activity. 

Awareness should be integrated into schools, religious centres, markets, and transportation hubs. Citizens—not just police—should be trained to recognise early signs of trafficking and respond by using these tools appropriately.

Human trafficking is not merely a criminal offence; it is a direct assault on human dignity and freedom. It robs people of their futures, their bodies, their dreams, and their right to choose. By reclaiming the agency of its people, Nigeria can begin to dismantle the trafficking industry and affirm a powerful truth: every individual deserves the right to live free.

Balikis Anoba is a writing fellow at African Liberty.