The Catholic Church in Nigeria recently joined the global community to commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons under the theme “Trapped behind the Scam.” The event, observed annually on 30 July, was established by the United Nations in 2013 to raise awareness, protect victims and strengthen global cooperation against has designated event victims of human trafficking.
Within a period of one week from end of July to early August, agents of pastoral care of migration across the country organized or participated in series of highly impactful physical or virtual events to sensitize and enlighten the public on the realities of human trafficking, emerging trafficking trends, dangers and preventive measures against this modern-day slavery.
Focusing on this year’s theme, programmes, initiatives and activities were aimed at highlighting the rapidly expanding crisis of transnational crime groups trafficking people on an industrial scale through online financial fraud, online grooming, romance scams, and cryptocurrency schemes. This follows the call by the UN on stakeholders to work to expose the fake and deceptive job advertisements and recruitment tactics used by criminal syndicates, fraudulent employment offers that lure vulnerable individuals into online scam compounds, forced labour, and other forms of human trafficking and exploitation.
The response of the Church was led by the Migrants and Refugees Unit (MRU) of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) which mobilized Diocesan Migrants and Refugees Units, Catholic agencies, government agencies, development partners, and other stakeholders to commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in the week from through coordinated awareness, advocacy, and sensitization activities across the country. Working with Caritas Nigeria and other offices of the Catholic Secretariat, as well as Parishes and youth groups, the national office organized to two highly impactful major events – a virtual interactive for pastoral agents and a physical seminar for Catholic youths. The interactive session was aimed at creating a forum for learning, experience-sharing and networking among those engaged in the campaign against human trafficking as faith-based and secular actors in Nigeria. The physical session was a platform for direct messaging through lectures and physical demonstration, presented in relevant contemporary language for the benefit of the youth who are the potential targets of the traffickers.
In response to the national call to action, diocesan Migrants and Refugees Units and Catholic institutions across the country organized various activities to mark the day. The Archdiocese of Lagos conducted a public road walk in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The Diocese of Uyo organized a sensitization podcast highlighting the growing threat of trafficking linked to online scam operations and the need for stronger collaboration in addressing the crime.
The Diocese of Ogoja promoted the campaign message, “Join the Fight. End Human Trafficking,” while the Dioceses of Warri and Bomadi carried out awareness and sensitization programmes within their respective communities. The Bakhita Initiative of JDPC Sokoto led an extensive public awareness campaign on the dangers of deceptive job offers, fake scholarships, travel scams, and online fraud. In Benin City, the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (FULIFE), in collaboration with the Edo State Migration Agency (EDMA) and other stakeholders, organized sensitization activities, while the Bakhita St. Louis Empowerment Network, Ipaja, Lagos, partnered with NAPTIP Lagos and other stakeholders for community outreach. An anti-trafficking presentation was also delivered during the Provincial Convention of the National Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS) in Makurdi, extending awareness to Catholic students and youth leaders. The Diocese of Gboko embarked on an aggressive sensitization street campaign to drive home the message, while Uromi Diocese used the occasion of the Holy Childhood Association (HCA) Children Congress 2026 in the Diocese to sensitize over 800 children on the deceptive tactics used by human traffickers and practical ways children can protect themselves from trafficking risks. The National Council of Women Religious against Human Trafficking also carried out their usual campaign through their usual provincial and national platforms.
The nationwide commemoration demonstrated the Catholic Church’s unwavering commitment to promoting human dignity, protecting vulnerable persons, advocating for safe migration, and strengthening partnerships in the fight against human trafficking. The various activities reinforced the importance of public awareness, community participation, and inter-agency collaboration in preventing trafficking and supporting victims.
The commemoration concluded with a renewed call for vigilance, responsible reporting of suspected trafficking cases, and collective action to expose deceptive schemes, protect vulnerable persons, and eradicate human trafficking in all its forms.
