PEDRO INAUGURATES 114 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOCAL PERSONS, LNSC DESK OFFICERS AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, has inaugurated 114 Local Government Focal Persons and Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) Anti-Human Trafficking Desk Officers for the Lagos State Task Force Against Human Trafficking, underscoring the State’s commitment to combating human trafficking at the grassroots level.
The inauguration, held on Monday at the DMO Office, Alausa, Ikeja, is part of the strategic efforts of the Lagos State Government under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to strengthen prevention, early detection, and response mechanisms at the Local Government level.
Mr. Pedro explained that Heads of Legal Units in all the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas have been designated as Local Government Focal Persons for the Task Force, while Anti-Human Trafficking Officers of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps have been appointed as Desk Officers in their respective jurisdictions.
According to the Attorney-General, the framework promotes coordination, clarity of roles, and accountability by integrating legal oversight with operational capacity and community intelligence at the local level.
He charged the appointees to be vigilant, proactive, and responsive, stressing that the appointments carry responsibility rather than titles. He emphasised early identification of trafficking risks, prompt reporting of suspected cases, effective referrals in line with approved procedures, and sustained engagement with community leaders and grassroots institutions.
Mr. Pedro assured the officers of the State Government’s continued support through policy direction, coordination, and capacity building.
Speaking earlier, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Hameed Oyenuga, represented by the Director, Directorate for Citizens Rights, Mr. Johnson Ogunsanya, stated that the inauguration was anchored in the 2025 Workplan of the Lagos State Task Force Against Human Trafficking and reflected the State’s deliberate policy direction to combat human trafficking in a coordinated and community-responsive manner.
Also speaking, the Lagos Zonal Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), represented by Mrs Hàjarat Tunde-Osho, commended Lagos State for strengthening its grassroots response, describing the Lagos State Task Force Against Human Trafficking as a critical pillar in the national response to trafficking in persons. She noted that the Task Force model has been replicated in 24 states of the Federation.
She recalled that the inauguration fulfilled a commitment made by the Attorney-General and Chairman of the Task Force, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, in December 2023, and praised the State Government for matching policy intent with concrete action.
In his briefing, the Task Force Coordinator, Mr. Olamide Ibrahim, explained that the operational framework was designed to strengthen grassroots collaboration without creating parallel systems or disrupting existing command structures.
He clarified that while Local Government Focal Persons serve as coordination points at the local level, LNSC Desk Officers would continue to operate strictly within the established command structure of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps.
The event concluded with the formal undertaking of commitment by the 114 appointees, followed by their official inauguration by the Attorney-General.
More photos below.
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