By Prosper Okoye
Victims of human trafficking in northern and south-eastern Nigeria are set to gain better access to justice following the opening of new legal support hubs in Kano and Enugu.
The centres were established by the Foundation for the Internationalization of Public Administration (FIAP), with funding from the European Union under the support to migration governance project in Nigeria, to strengthen the country’s response to trafficking, migrant smuggling, and related crimes. They are designed to help victims seek legal redress, pursue compensation, and understand their rights after exploitation.
Speaking in Abuja, Sani Bello, FIAP technical adviser on criminal investigation, said the hubs would focus on the prosecution pillar of Nigeria’s anti-trafficking framework.
“Access to justice remains a major challenge for trafficking victims,” he said. “These hubs are meant to bridge that gap by ensuring survivors are supported to pursue their cases and claim compensation where possible.”
Expanding the network
The new hubs expand an existing network first established in 2020 in Lagos, Edo, and Delta states by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
According to IOM, the model brings together lawyers, human rights bodies, and law enforcement agencies to provide coordinated legal support to vulnerable migrants and trafficking survivors.
The Kano and Enugu hubs were inaugurated in November, bringing the total number nationwide to five. Coordinators from all hubs are now undergoing training in Abuja alongside representatives from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
The training focuses on civil litigation, victim compensation, and improving coordination among investigators, prosecutors, and legal practitioners.
“Many survivors are willing to pursue justice, but they do not know where to turn or how the system works,” Mr Bello said, reflecting on his years of experience interviewing trafficking victims across several states.
The changing face of trafficking
Osita Osemene, executive director of the Patriotic Citizen Initiatives (PCI) and one of the trainers, said trafficking in Nigeria has grown more complex, driven by insecurity, economic hardship, and displacement.
“Trafficking today is no longer limited to cross-border movement,” he said. “Internal trafficking has increased sharply, often fuelled by insecurity in the north and economic pressures in the south.”
He added that many rescued victims are denied justice because their rights are rarely addressed beyond initial rescue. “Legal support is often missing, and many lawyers are not adequately trained to handle trafficking cases, which require more than routine litigation,” Mr Osemene said.
He said collaboration between civil society groups, international partners, and government agencies such as NAPTIP had improved awareness, but more coordinated action is needed.
“The numbers are rising, and the response must be proactive. All relevant actors must understand the problem and be properly equipped to protect victims and secure justice,” he said.
Survivor experiences highlight the need for legal support
Dr Ijeoma Nnaji, South-east zonal coordinator of the Network of Trafficked Children, Abuse and Labour in Nigeria, is among those benefiting from the training. Drawing on her work with survivors, she highlighted how trafficking has become increasingly deceptive.
She recounted the case of a young woman trafficked under the pretext of marriage. A trafficker paid the bride price to her family, then took her abroad, where she was forced into prostitution.
“She was fortunate. One of the men she was sent to recognised what was happening and helped her escape,” Dr Nnaji said.
The survivor later fell briefly into the hands of another trafficking network before returning to Nigeria. On her return, she struggled with severe psychological effects, including shame, withdrawal, and trauma-related nightmares. The trafficker later demanded a refund of the bride price, claiming the marriage had been rejected.
Dr Nnaji said sustained counselling and psychosocial support were critical for recovery. “This is why training like this matters. Rescue alone is not enough. Survivors need legal protection, understanding, and long-term support,” she said.
Human trafficking remains a persistent problem in Nigeria, with women and children particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation, forced labour, and irregular migration routes.
