In a significant stride towards countering human trafficking in Nigeria, the United States Mission has contributed office space and equipment to the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA). The initiative, aimed at combating one of the most egregious violations of human rights, was formally handed over on Thursday.

Mr. Will Stevens, the US Consul General in Lagos, emphasized the importance of this initiative as a collective effort to eradicate human trafficking. He praised the commitment of the Lagos state government, particularly the anti-trafficking unit of LNSA, for their dedication to creating a safe and secure environment. Stevens also expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Netherlands for its unwavering commitment to the cause and lauded the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for its expertise and tireless efforts.

Stevens highlighted the necessity of a coordinated approach in the fight against human trafficking and deemed the establishment of the office a critical milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s criminal justice response to trafficking in persons. He emphasized that the new facility serves as a symbol of collective determination and hope for victims. The US government has been actively supporting these efforts, providing $1.3 million to UNODC between 2021 and 2023 to aid the Nigerian government’s initiatives in protecting those vulnerable to trafficking.

Stressing the importance of a comprehensive response, Stevens affirmed the US government’s commitment to consolidating resources and expertise to create a robust framework addressing the needs of current victims and working towards preventing future trafficking incidents.