The Oyo State Coordinator, Child Protection Network, (CPN), Dr. Rosemary Odigbo has called for synergy and strategic engagement with key stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking and child abuse in the state and nation as a whole.
Dr. Odigbo made the call during an advocacy visit to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Oyo State Command, at the Federal Secretariat, Ibadan on Wednesday, July, 9 2025.
She said the visit was part of efforts to tackle the rising trend of child trafficking, labour and others in the state through synergy and engagement with key stakeholders.
Dr. Odigbo said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration and explore partnership opportunities in addressing child exploitation and human trafficking within the state
“During the visit, we discussed trends in Human Trafficking, buying and selling of children, including the operation of “baby factories,” noted to be particularly prevalent in the South-East.
“Other forms of trafficking discussed included sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, organ harvesting (trafficking in organs, tissues, and cells), the use of minors in pornography, alms begging, and other worst forms of child labour.
“The emerging Trend of
Organ Exploitation was noted as a rising concern involving young women, especially students from higher institutions in Lagos and Oyo States, being lured into selling their ovaries, these individuals are highly vulnerable to exploitation by organ trafficking syndicates, she noted.
Dr. Rose Odigbo Coordinator also spoke about the prevalent domestic exploitation of children trafficked from Togo and Republic of Benin to Oyo State.
The CPN State Coordinator used the occasion to share updates on the ongoing Family Strengthening Project, supported by SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria.
“The project includes the inauguration of school-based child protection clubs in selected schools across various LGAs and the establishment of community child protection committees in multiple communities across the state.
“These initiatives are already promoting child rights awareness and establishing functional community-based structures for identifying and responding to abuse and exploitation
“The Child Protection Network expressed deep appreciation for the openness, engagement, and commitments made by the NAPTIP team and looks forward to a sustained and productive partnership in line with their shared mandates.
Speaking, the Oyo State Commander of NAPTIP, Mr. Kayode Alfred berated the growing trend where victims in the state prefer to report their cases to media personalities for sympathy and temporary support, rather than to NAPTIP or relevant authorities.
He said: “Consent of a victim is irrelevant if any of the Means of Trafficking is used such as deception, force, threat, coercion, abduction, fraud.”
” Also, a child is not capable of giving consent, even if any of the Means of Trafficking such as deception , force, abduction are not used.”
Mr. Kayode Alfred assured CPN of NAPTIP’s support in tackling cases of child trafficking and exploitation in Oyo State. He also expressed willingness to serve as a facilitator in future CPN programmes and requested to be included in the CPN communication platform for regular updates and collaboration.
He encouraged CPN to intensify sensitization efforts in communities, especially on how and where to report cases of trafficking and abuse, just as he emphasized the importance of channeling such cases directly to NAPTIP as the legally mandated agency responsible for handling all trafficking-related matters in Nigeria.
Mr Alfred described the advocacy visit as impactful and timely, laying a solid foundation for enhanced collaboration and synergy between CPN and NAPTIP in the ongoing fight against human trafficking and the protection of vulnerable children in Oyo State.
Other issues discussed included the Kafala Labour Migration System, prevalent in countries such as Iran, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, in which victims are often subjected to exploitative working conditions, have their passports seized, and face criminalization under false allegations such as theft when they resist.
The Kafala system, prevalent in countries such as Iran, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, was discussed. Victims are often subjected to exploitative working conditions, have their passports seized, and face criminalization under false allegations such as theft when they resist.
On Information Materials Exchange such that will enhance joint public enlightenment efforts, both CPN and NAPTIP exchanged relevant information materials during the visit.
NAPTIP, it will be recalled was established in 2003, and operates in 34 states across Nigeria. The agency functions through four core departments which include Legal and Prosecution Department, Investigation Department, Public Enlightenment Unit and Counseling and Rehabilitation Department.
NAPTIP Officials at the meeting included, Mr. Kayode A. Alfred, State Commander, NAPTIP, Oyo State Command, Ibadan, Mrs. Esther Awotunde: Public Enlightenment Unit.
CPN Delegation Present included Mrs Olaniyan Monsurat, CPN Internal Auditor, (Family Health and Population Action Committee {FAHPAC}), Comprade Aisha Nana Ismail, (Matan Arewa for Sustainable Development Initiatives{MAFSDI) and Dr Oluwakemi Ademola-Aremu, Choice Solution Welfare (Initiative International {CSWII).
Others are Miss Love Taiwo (Jesus Children Missions Outreach{JCMO}) and Dr. Rosemary Odigbo (Jesus Children Missions Outreach{JCMO})
