Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on African leaders to unite against the increasing spate of human trafficking, ritual abuse, and human sacrifice in the continent.
Sanwo-Olu made the call at the just concluded inaugural 2025 African Colloquium Against Human Trafficking held in Lagos State.
Represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Governor described the colloquium as a defining moment for Africa’s collective conscience, urging governments and communities to work together to dismantle the networks enabling human trafficking and ritual exploitation.
“This evil knows no boundaries. We must confront and defeat the dangerous myths that fuel ritual abuse – myths that wrongly link power or success to the taking of human life. Our people are not for sale, our children are not sacrifices, and our future will never be built on fear or blood,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed the State’s commitment through the Lagos State Task Force Against Human Trafficking, which continues to strengthen prosecution systems, rehabilitate survivors, and raise public awareness in collaboration with NAPTIP and international partners.
Also speaking, the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, represented by Ezine Nwokoro, commended the organisers for addressing ritual trafficking, describing it as a “deeply disturbing layer” to human exploitation.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to legislative reforms, stronger partnerships with NAPTIP, and enhanced international cooperation to prevent and prosecute trafficking in persons.
Delivering a keynote speech earlier, Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, described the colloquium as a “continental call to conscience,” noting that ritual killings and trafficking have become organised, commercialised, and transnational crimes.
“Africa must rise; not in rhetoric but in responsibility, from prevention to prosecution, we must transform policies into laws and laws into action for the protection and rehabilitation of victims”, he said.
He further revealed that between 2022 and 2024, over 4,700 victims of trafficking were rescued and supported in Lagos, while the State enacted the Organ Harvesting Prohibition Law (2024) to tackle the illegal trade in human organs for ritual and exploitative purposes.
The AG appreciated Pepperdine University and the Sudreau Global Justice Institute for their partnership since 2022, noting that Africa “does not lack capacity – only courage, coordination, and conviction.”
Pedro urged stakeholders to make the colloquium a turning point in ending child killings, exploitation, and ritual abuse, affirming Lagos State’s commitment to lead legal reform and collaboration across Africa in the fight against human trafficking.
