In a decisive move to curb the rising tide of human trafficking and cyber-enabled crimes across West Africa, law enforcement authorities from Ghana and Nigeria have held a high-level bilateral meeting to strengthen cooperation and develop joint strategies against transnational organized crime.
The engagement, which took place at the National Cyber Crime Centre in Abuja, brought together senior officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of both countries to deliberate on practical measures to combat the growing threats that affect citizens across their borders.
In his remarks, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), DIG Sadiq Idris Abubakar described the engagement between the Criminal Investigation Departments of both countries as “a historic step towards dismantling the structures that sustain human trafficking networks.” He noted that the meeting was initiated by the Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service.
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While welcoming the high-powered delegation from the Ghana Police Service to a bilateral meeting in Abuja aimed at strengthening joint efforts against transnational organized crime, particularly human trafficking, across West Africa, the DIG Abubakar highlighted the growing sophistication of human trafficking syndicates, the DIG said the crime has evolved from a low-level operation into a multi-million-dollar global enterprise driven by socioeconomic vulnerabilities. He warned that the menace has become normalized in some communities, pushing desperate youths into perilous migration routes in search of better opportunities abroad.
He also drew attention to the increasing use of modern technology by traffickers, who exploit artificial intelligence, fake online job portals, social media, and cryptocurrency platforms to recruit, control, and exploit victims.
The DIG further noted that while the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons, goods, and services promotes regional integration, it also presents enforcement challenges that traffickers now exploit to move victims across borders for sexual, economic, and medical exploitation.
The senior police officer emphasized the need for stronger synergy among law enforcement agencies across West Africa, noting that emerging crimes such as cyber fraud and cross-border investment scams have further complicated the regional security landscape.
He reiterated the Nigerian Police Force’s commitment to the “whole-of-government” approach, involving the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Industrial Commission, Interpol, and other partners in combating human trafficking.
“As human trafficking is profit-driven, we must strengthen our capacity in financial intelligence, asset tracing, and law enforcement cooperation to dismantle the entire criminal enterprise, not merely arrest its agents,” he stated.
The DIG also underscored the importance of collaboration with civil society organizations to promote intelligence sharing, preventive measures, victim rehabilitation, and public awareness campaigns.
He urged participants to use the meeting to examine the root causes of human trafficking, review ongoing cases, identify operational challenges, and develop actionable strategies for sustained bilateral and multilateral engagement.
Also in her remarks, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, emphasized the urgent need for stronger collaboration between Ghana and Nigeria in tackling the growing menace of human trafficking and cyber-enabled crimes.
Speaking at a bilateral meeting between the Nigeria Police Force and the Ghana Police Service held at the National Cyber Crime Centre, Abuja, she described the engagement as “timely” given the sharp increase in transnational organized crimes across the sub-region.
DCOP Donkor noted that there is a strong link between human trafficking and other crimes such as cyber fraud and related offences, stressing that closer cooperation between both countries would send a clear message to traffickers and cybercriminals. “The numbers we are seeing are alarming, especially between Ghana and Nigeria, largely because of our shared language and ease of movement,” she stated.
She further urged both countries to leverage their shared commitment under the Palermo Protocol to intensify joint operations, intelligence sharing, and preventive measures. “We must work together to do much more for our citizens across our borders,” she added, expressing optimism that the meeting would yield actionable strategies to curb the growing trend of human trafficking and cyber-enabled crime in West Africa.
In his presentation, the Director General of the National International Intelligence Agency commended the ongoing collaborative efforts aimed at curbing human trafficking across Nigeria and West Africa, describing the initiative as timely and strategic. He noted that Nigeria has evolved beyond being merely an origin country to also serving as a transit route and a destination point for trafficking activities.
The DG expressed concern over the increasing establishment of cross-border trafficking syndicates by foreign nationals within the region, emphasizing the need for law enforcement agencies to address this growing trend. He also highlighted the emerging pattern of victims being trafficked not only for sexual exploitation but also for cyber-related crimes, particularly in parts of Southeast Asia where individuals are coerced into operating as online fraudsters under controlled environments.
He further warned about the exploitation of global crises, such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, by human trafficking networks using deceptive online recruitment schemes that lure victims with false promises of high-paying jobs and citizenship opportunities. The DG revealed that thousands of Nigerians have fallen victim to such fraudulent offers, often ending up in dangerous combat zones.
He cautioned that these activities threaten regional stability and undermine ECOWAS protocols on free movement, calling for stronger inter-agency synergy and cross-border collaboration to address the menace. He also proposed leveraging diaspora communities as part of the solution, citing the role of Nigerian diaspora groups in Ghana as an example of effective grassroots engagement in combating trafficking networks.
Representatives from both nations’ law enforcement and immigration agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), reaffirmed their shared commitment to safeguarding human dignity and securing regional borders.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from both Ghana and Nigeria to deepen intelligence sharing, enhance joint operations, and strengthen legal frameworks to dismantle trafficking and cybercrime networks across the region. Participants affirmed that the outcomes of the discussions and the adopted communique would serve as a blueprint for sustained collaboration in safeguarding citizens and promoting security and stability within West Africa.
