Edo: In the heartbeat of the nation, Edo, once infamously known as the epicentre of human trafficking in Nigeria, a new kind of resistance is taking root. Not in courtrooms or campaign offices, but in classrooms. A fresh, student-driven initiative is emerging to challenge the longstanding menace of human trafficking. Through the launch of Anti-Human Trafficking and Violence Against Persons (A.TIPVAP) Vanguard Clubs in 50 public secondary schools across the state, young people are being empowered to become frontline advocates in a battle that has stolen the futures of countless boys and girls.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, this bold move is part of the School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP), a collaborative effort between the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), with funding support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The launch events brought together a coalition of stakeholders, government officials, security agencies, educators, students, and civil society actors, united by a shared urgency and a common cause. For Edo, the time for action is now.
At the inauguration of the Vanguard clubs, NAPTIP’s Zonal Commander in Benin, Mr. Sam Offiah, delivered an address to the students, warning of the deceptive tactics traffickers often employed to lure victims. He emphasised the dehumanising nature of human trafficking and the importance of staying in school and pursuing dreams. Offiah recounted stories of young girls seduced by fake job offers, only to find themselves trapped in exploitation, and stressed that awareness and education are vital in this fight.
The initiative also addresses the new trends in human trafficking, including the exploitation of the digital space. Offiah noted an increase in internet trafficking, where traffickers use fake online profiles and phishing tactics to manipulate and coerce victims.
Representing ICMPD, Elvis Ederibhalo explained the broader objective of the initiative, highlighting education as the strongest weapon to prevent trafficking. The vanguard club is seen as a movement where students are trained to identify trafficking tactics, speak up, and protect themselves and others. Ederibhalo cited a survey revealing that 75 per cent of rescued victims of human trafficking were school-age children.
On the government’s part, Mrs. Mercy Imasuen-Isibor from the Edo State Ministry of Education hailed the project as a strategic step in combating the state’s reputation as a trafficking hub. She explained the involvement of school authorities, parents, and community leaders to ensure the message goes beyond school walls. The ministry aims to expand the initiative to every school in Edo State for systemic cultural change.
Representing the Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Mr. Benedict Omordon described the initiative as a welcome development and emphasised the importance of informing the youth about trafficking. He mentioned that human trafficking occurs not only abroad but also within local neighbourhoods.
Principals from participating schools welcomed the vanguard clubs. Rev. Victor Orumwense, Principal of Oba Ewuare Grammar School, called the move historic, highlighting its potential to build student consciousness and resilience. Similar sentiments were echoed by other principals who pledged institutional support.
Excellence Osamuyimen, President of the new anti-trafficking club at Oredo Girls Secondary School, delivered a speech urging peers to stay vigilant against trafficking. She applauded NAPTIP, ICMPD, and the ministry of education for their efforts and promised to spread the message widely.
While the launch of anti-trafficking clubs in Edo schools is an encouraging step, stakeholders agree it is only the beginning. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, 46 per cent of detected victims in West Africa are children, with girls especially vulnerable. Many fall prey to traffickers due to poverty, peer pressure, family expectations, or manipulation.
STEAP’s approach, rooted in education and school-community partnerships, offers a promising path forward. With support from NAPTIP, ICMPD, and international partners, the hope is that today’s students will rise as tomorrow’s defenders against exploitation. If Edo succeeds, it could become a model for other regions across Nigeria. For now, a seed has been planted in 50 schools, with a quiet resistance growing in classrooms, one student at a time.