The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged its member states to reduce migrant flows as a strategy to tackle human trafficking across the sub-region.

The call was made during the closing ceremony of the 17th Annual Review Meeting of the ECOWAS Regional Network of National Focal Institutions against Trafficking in Persons Plus (RNNI-TIP+).

The meeting, which ended on Friday in Lagos, was chaired by Dehunge Shiaka, Sierra Leone’s representative, who emphasised that migration drives human trafficking in the region.

Mr Shiaka, also executive director of Sierra Leone’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Agency, noted that some countries were identified as key routes for migrants seeking greener pastures abroad.

According to him, such routes often expose migrants to exploitation in both transit and destination countries, creating conditions that fuel trafficking networks.

“For the past five days we have examined these issues. We agreed that migration is one of the main drivers of human trafficking,” Mr Shiaka said.

He added that several member-states must intensify efforts to identify routes and take concrete actions to reduce migrant flows through their territories.

Mr Shiaka stressed that human trafficking remains a significant regional challenge, with irregular migration and migrant smuggling fuelling the hidden crime.

He explained that cultural factors, such as fear of witchcraft, prevent many victims from reporting their ordeals.

In spite of these challenges, he said that regional stakeholders were striving to close gaps and strengthen anti-trafficking measures.

“One recommendation was to empower communities with knowledge of traffickers’ methods, to recognise the risks of irregular migration and its exploitative consequences,” he said.

Mr Shiaka urged governments to sensitise citizens, warning that dangerous journeys could trap them in trafficking networks in both transit and destination countries.

He added that awareness and public education were key recommendations, alongside regular community engagement to prevent citizens from falling prey to traffickers’ tactics.

Olatunde Olayemi, representing ECOWAS’ director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, said member-states were encouraged to implement recommendations within their national action plans.

He stressed the need for capacity building in victim identification and coordinated law enforcement responses across the region.

“Member-states are expected to return and implement their national priorities, expressed at this meeting, within their existing action plans,” Mr Olayemi explained.

He added that ECOWAS, with partner organisations, provides technical and financial support to strengthen national responses against trafficking.

According to him, implementation is reviewed annually, with both national and regional plans monitored.

Isabelle Wolfsgruber, head of office, International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) Nigeria, Pan-Africa Region, said the centre supports migration and free movement in West Africa.

She, however, stressed the importance of cooperation, awareness-raising and prevention in tackling trafficking linked to irregular migration.

“Trafficking is a transnational crime organised by criminal groups. International cooperation among countries is essential to counter this menace,” Ms Wolfsgruber said.

(NAN)