Legal Aid Hubs Open In Kano, Enugu To Support Trafficking Survivors 

By Prosper Okoye

Survivors of human trafficking in northern and south-eastern Nigeria will now have improved access to justice following the inauguration of new legal support hubs in Kano and Enugu.

The centres were established by the Foundation for the Internationalisation of Public Administration (FIAP) with funding from the European Union under the Support to Migration Governance project in Nigeria.

They aim to strengthen legal responses to human trafficking, migrant smuggling and related crimes by helping survivors seek redress, pursue compensation and better understand their rights after exploitation.

Speaking in Abuja, FIAP’s technical adviser on criminal investigation, Sani Bello, said the hubs would strengthen the prosecution pillar of Nigeria’s anti-trafficking framework.

“Access to justice remains a major challenge for trafficking survivors,” Mr Bello said. “These hubs are designed to close that gap by ensuring survivors receive legal support to pursue their cases and claim compensation where applicable.”

Expanding legal support nationwide

The Kano and Enugu centres expand an existing network of legal hubs first launched in 2020 in Lagos, Edo and Delta states by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

According to IOM, the model brings together legal practitioners, human rights institutions and law enforcement agencies to provide coordinated legal assistance to vulnerable migrants and survivors of trafficking.

The two new hubs, inaugurated in November, bring the total number nationwide to five.

Coordinators from all the hubs are currently undergoing training in Abuja alongside representatives of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

The training focuses on civil litigation, victim compensation and improved coordination among investigators, prosecutors and lawyers.

“Many survivors want justice but lack information on where to go or how the system works,” Mr Bello said, drawing from his experience working with trafficking victims across the country.

Evolving trafficking patterns

Osita Osemene, executive director of the Patriotic Citizen Initiatives (PCI) and a facilitator at the training, said trafficking in Nigeria has become increasingly complex due to insecurity, economic hardship and displacement.

“Trafficking is no longer limited to cross-border movement,” he said. “Internal trafficking has increased significantly, driven by insecurity in the north and economic pressures in the south.”

Mr Osemene noted that many rescued victims are denied justice because legal support often ends at the point of rescue. He added that trafficking cases require specialised legal skills that many practitioners lack.

While collaboration among civil society groups, international partners and government agencies such as NAPTIP has improved awareness, he said stronger coordination and capacity building are still required.

“The scale of the problem is growing, and the response must be proactive. All actors must be adequately equipped to protect victims and secure justice,” he said.

Survivors underscore need for sustained support

One of the trainees, Dr Ijeoma Nnaji, South-east zonal coordinator of the Network of Trafficked Children, Abuse and Labour in Nigeria, said survivor experiences highlight the need for comprehensive legal and psychosocial support.

She cited cases where victims were trafficked through deceptive arrangements, including false promises of marriage. Many survivors, she said, return home traumatised and face social stigma, psychological distress and legal disputes linked to their exploitation.

“Rescue alone is not enough,” Dr Nnaji said. “Survivors need legal protection, understanding and long-term support to fully recover and reintegrate.”

Human trafficking remains a major challenge in Nigeria, with women and children particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation, forced labour and dangerous migration routes.

The establishment of the new legal hubs is expected to strengthen survivors’ access to justice and accountability nationwide.