By Palma Ileye
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has rescued 80 victims of human trafficking and arrested 35 suspects in the last three years.
The FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at an event organised to commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
The programme, organised by the NSCDC FCT Anti-Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration Unit in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), was held at the Command Headquarters, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
Odumosu also disclosed that 32 of the rescued victims had been handed over to NAPTIP for further care and appropriate intervention.
Speaking on the theme, “Human Trafficking and Technology: Trends, Challenges and Security Approach,” the Commandant called for increased capacity building for investigators and intelligence Officers to enable them effectively use lawful digital intelligence, data analysis, online monitoring and other appropriate technological tools in detecting trafficking networks.
He said human trafficking had gone beyond being a social problem, describing it as a serious security, economic, human rights and development challenge.
According to him, traffickers exploit poverty, unemployment, ignorance, displacement, family challenges and the aspirations of young people seeking education, employment and better opportunities.
Odumosu noted that advances in technology had also created new avenues for traffickers to recruit, deceive, transport, control and exploit vulnerable persons.
He said social media platforms, instant messaging applications, gaming environments and other digital spaces were increasingly being used by criminal networks to reach potential victims.
“The fight against trafficking has entered the digital battlefield. Criminal networks can adopt new platforms and tools faster than institutions can develop appropriate investigative capacity,” he said.
The Commandant identified rapid technological changes, digital anonymity, and the cross-border nature of cyber-enabled trafficking, challenges in securing digital evidence, victim identification and inadequate public awareness as some of the major obstacles confronting security agencies.
He stressed the need for security responses to evolve from traditional approaches to intelligence-led, technology-driven and victim-centred strategies.
Odumosu also called for stronger collaboration among relevant agencies, including the NSCDC, NAPTIP, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Federal Road Safety Corps and other intelligence and security agencies.
He charged NSCDC personnel to remain vigilant around transportation corridors, public spaces, critical infrastructure and other vulnerable locations where traffickers might operate.
