Strengthening Community Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking in Jigawa State
Stakeholders in Jigawa State have shown renewed determination to tackle human trafficking and related crimes, as discussions continue on the importance of community involvement in prevention and awareness. This commitment was highlighted during a one-day sensitisation workshop focused on human trafficking and future strategies, organised by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in collaboration with the Jigawa State Government. The event took place on Thursday in Dutse, the state capital.
During the opening of the workshop, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Ibrahim Garba Gwiwa, reaffirmed the government’s support for NAPTIP in its efforts to combat human trafficking within the state. Represented by the Director of Community and Social Development in the ministry, Mahmood Mukaddas, the commissioner called on stakeholders and community-based organisations to back the agency.
“We must all support NAPTIP for the success of this exercise,” Mukaddas stated. “Jigawa is committed to partnering with NAPTIP to protect our people from traffickers’ nets,” he added, noting that local governments would mobilise resources for awareness campaigns at the grassroots level.
He further explained, “Community organisations hold the key; without their buy-in, efforts will falter.” He praised the workshop for bringing together various voices to address the threat of human trafficking.
Earlier, NAPTIP Jigawa State Commander, Abdulkadir Tirejo, shared updates on the agency’s progress in curbing trafficking in the state. He called for increased collaboration from stakeholders and community groups to fully address the issue, stating, “The agency has made great strides, but we need your cooperation to end this.”
In his presentation, Aliyu Kalli, a resource person at the event, stressed the role of community leaders and organisations in the anti-trafficking campaign. He urged security agencies to intensify their efforts against traffickers, saying, “Community leaders are the frontline defenders; security must redouble to crush this evil.”
Other presenters included the Zonal Commander of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kazaure Adamu Bashir, who discussed border control and cross-border trafficking prevention. Traditional rulers and Islamic clerics also contributed, urging faith-based actions to discourage the vice.
After the workshop in Dutse, the PUNCH correspondent spoke with several participants to gather their perspectives.
Fatima Yusuf, a health activist, commended the focus on community awareness, stating, “This sensitisation is a game-changer for Jigawa — trafficking preys on ignorance, and uniting stakeholders like this builds real defences.” She suggested expanding school programmes to educate teenagers on online lures, adding, “Early warnings in classrooms could prevent half these cases before they start.”
Usman Sadiq, a community-based organisation leader who attended the event, expressed optimism about collaborative efforts. “NAPTIP’s successes show we’re winning battles, but the war needs more grassroots funding,” he said. Sadiq recommended forming village watch committees, noting, “Empower locals with training and phones for quick reports — that’s how we cut trafficking routes at the source.”
A woman’s rights advocate, Aisha Khalid, highlighted the importance of family education in prevention efforts. “Workshops like this highlight our shared responsibility; ignoring it dooms our daughters,” she said. She also called for mobile clinics offering counselling, noting, “Pair anti-trafficking talks with health checks to reach remote mothers who need it most.”
PUNCH Online reported in October that NAPTIP rescued at least 121 people in a series of raids on hotels, apartments, and airports since February 2025. These include syndicates funnelling young Nigerians primarily to the Middle East, according to a collation of the agency’s data reviewed by Sunday PUNCH. The tally includes operations in Abuja, Katsina, and Kano, which led to at least 19 arrests.