By Abbas Ibrahim
The media has been challenged to take a frontline role in the fight against human trafficking, irregular migration and other forms of transnational organised crime threatening communities in Kano State and Nigeria.
The call was made by the Executive Director of the Civil Society Organization for Conflict Resolution in Nigeria (CS-CRIN), Barrister Adeniyi Aremu, during a media engagement and briefing in Kano to unveil the organisation’s project, “Strengthening Community Resilience and Institutional Capacity to Address Human Trafficking in Kano State, Nigeria.”
The project, funded by the Global Initiative through the Resilience Fund, seeks to strengthen community and institutional capacity to prevent human trafficking, protect victims and survivors, and improve responses to the growing menace.
Aremu said Kano was the first state in Northern Nigeria where the project commenced, expressing optimism that the initiative would gradually be extended to other states.
He described Kano as an important exit point and transit route for human trafficking, warning that the situation required urgent and coordinated intervention from government institutions, civil society organisations, communities and the media.
According to him, journalists have a critical responsibility to expose the underlying causes of trafficking, educate the public on its dangers and challenge narratives that normalise irregular migration and exploitation.
“We know you have that power of responsible reporting about victims and survivors of human trafficking. You can also counter misinformation and raise public awareness against the menace,” Aremu said.
He stressed that responsible journalism was particularly important in reporting cases involving victims and survivors, noting that careless use of language could further stigmatise and dehumanise people who had already suffered exploitation.
He disclosed that CS-CRIN would train journalists on the appropriate use of terminology in reporting human trafficking, including language that protects the dignity, privacy and rights of victims and survivors.
Aremu urged journalists to move beyond reporting individual cases and investigate the social, economic and institutional factors driving trafficking and irregular migration.
He specifically identified Kumbotso and Ungogo Local Government Areas as areas considered prone to human trafficking and irregular migration, challenging journalists to investigate the factors responsible for the phenomenon.
“Help us unravel the causes, what is making people to traffic human beings and people going on irregular migration in that axis,” he challenged journalists.
The CS-CRIN Executive Director said the organisation was also working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as part of efforts to address the menace.
He disclosed that available data indicated that out of about 9,000 returnees recorded collectively in Nigeria over the past three years, nearly 5,000 were from Kano State.
According to him, many of the returnees are concentrated in Kumbotso, Ungogo and other parts of the state, describing the development as alarming and deserving sustained public attention.
Beyond media advocacy, Aremu said CS-CRIN would train approximately 40 community based paralegals who would serve as first hand responders within their communities.
He described the paralegals as an important link between vulnerable people, communities and relevant institutions, particularly in identifying cases, providing initial assistance and facilitating referrals.
He further disclosed that about 150 civil society organisations, including media organisations, would be trained as part of the implementation of the project.
In another major initiative, Aremu announced plans to establish Journalists Against Transnational Organised Crime (JATOC), beginning with Kano State and subsequently expanding nationwide.
He said a five member committee had been constituted to drive the establishment and development of the journalists’ network.
The proposed JATOC initiative is expected to provide a platform through which journalists can collaborate, share intelligence, strengthen investigative capacity and promote sustained public interest reporting on human trafficking and other transnational organised crimes.
The partnership between CS-CRIN and the media therefore represents an opportunity to reposition journalism from merely reporting trafficking incidents to actively contributing to prevention, public education, accountability and community resilience.
With its reach, influence and ability to shape public discourse, the media can help expose trafficking networks, amplify the voices of survivors, challenge misinformation, warn vulnerable communities and compel authorities to respond effectively.
