Member states of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) have expressed concerns about human trafficking cases within the region.

They stated this at the 17th Annual Review Meeting of the ECOWAS Regional Network of National Focal Institutions against Trafficking in Persons Plus (RNNI-TIP+) in Lagos.

Commenting, the Director of Intelligence, Research and Programme Development at Nigeria’s National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Josiah Emerole, described human trafficking as modern-day slavery and a crime that has continued to be a major concern to members of the international community.

He noted: “Many West African countries are simultaneously countries of origin, transit, and destination for trafficking. In Mali alone, an estimated 20,000 young Nigerian women are being exploited. Through coordinated efforts with other countries, we ensure that victims are treated according to international protocols and traffickers are prosecuted.”

Also speaking, Executive Director of Sierra Leone’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Secretariat, Dehunge Shiaka, noted $35,000 had been allocated to each country for victim rehabilitation and support.

In Sierra Leone alone, he disclosed that the grant facilitated aid to 51 victims, including food and non-food assistance, skills acquisition, and support for small business start-ups.

He said, “Countries of origin, transit, and destination must work together as a team to fight trafficking in Africa. Much of the success rests on member countries to identify victims, support them, and create community awareness to prevent trafficking while pursuing and prosecuting offenders.”

Shiaka also said, “It is for member countries to see this as a challenge, identify these smugglers, dismantle their networks, and track their finances to prevent further exploitation.