African leaders and experts have expressed deep concern over the escalating cases of human trafficking and ritual killings across the continent, describing the trend as a worsening humanitarian and security crisis that requires urgent collective intervention.
This alarm was raised at the inaugural Africa Colloquium Against Human Trafficking, convened by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice in collaboration with Pepperdine University’s Sudreau Global Justice Institute. Speakers at the event condemned the growing intersection between ritual practices, exploitation, and trafficking networks spreading across Nigeria and West Africa.
In his keynote remarks, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister ’Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described human trafficking as one of the most “grievous violations of human rights” that must be addressed through joint national and regional action. “Human trafficking is not a distant problem—it is here with us,” he said, emphasizing that millions of victims, particularly women and children, are being subjected to forced labour, sexual exploitation, and ritual abuse. He added emphatically, “Our people are not commodities; our children are not sacrifices.”
Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), also spoke of the alarming rise in ritual-related crimes across African countries, describing it as both a security and moral emergency. He called for enhanced cross-border investigations and the speedy prosecution of offenders.
Echoing similar concerns, Lagos Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, described human trafficking as a “global pandemic” that undermines human dignity, while the Lagos State Attorney General, Lawal Pedro (SAN), revealed that the illicit trade generates about $236 billion annually, ranking only behind arms and narcotics trafficking.
On her part, NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, disclosed that more than 150 ritual-related trafficking cases were documented in Nigeria within the first five months of 2025. She identified ritual killings as “a new and dangerous dimension” of human trafficking and urged African countries to strengthen victim-centered justice systems.
Professor Cameron McCollum of Pepperdine University reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting African governments in reforming judicial processes and building systems capable of dismantling trafficking and ritual abuse networks.
