Nigerian Tribune reports that the Kwara State Taskforce on Human Trafficking has announced its commitment to take firm action against human trafficking offenders, underscoring the state government's resolve to address this serious issue.

In an informative statement to raise public awareness, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, who also chairs the Taskforce, stressed that ignorance of the law will not excuse violations.

He cautioned the public to remain vigilant and law-abiding as part of the government's ongoing efforts to eliminate human trafficking across the state.

The Attorney General explained that offenses related to human trafficking begin with abduction or recruitment, leading to the transportation and entry of individuals into another location.

“This is followed by the exploitation phase, during which the victim is forced into sexual or labor servitude and other forms of exploitation,” he said.

Senior Sulyman urged the public to remain vigilant, adding that “anyone who witnesses or suspects human trafficking, or who is personally being trafficked, should call the toll-free multilingual 24-hour National Human Trafficking Resource Center & Hotline at 627.

Members of the public can also visit the Kwara State Ministry of Justice, Room 151, to seek help for victims and survivors of human trafficking, or connect with local services that are available 24/7.”

“Trafficking in persons should be understood as a process rather than a single offense. During the trafficking process, offenders typically perpetrate a variety of offenses.

There may be links between trafficking operations and other criminal activities, such as the smuggling of weapons or drugs. Additional crimes, such as money laundering and tax evasion, may also be committed to protect the illicit proceeds of trafficking activities,” the Commissioner explained.

According to him, “offenses are committed at various stages of the trafficking process, including: recruitment, transportation and entry, and exploitation.

Others include document forgery, unlawful coercion, money laundering, fraudulent promises, immigration law abuse, threats, tax evasion, kidnapping, corruption of officials, extortion, false consent from a parent or guardian of a child, damage to property, false imprisonment, intimidation or subversion of officials, and recruitment of individuals lacking the capacity to consent, along with the withholding of documents, procurement, theft of documents, sexual assault, aggravated assault, rape, death, forced abortion, torture, and more.”