The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has called for tough action against human trafficking.
He described human trafficking as a global pandemic deeply rooted in the history of slavery.
Justice Alogba called for stronger community vigilance, legal enforcement and international collaboration to eradicate the menace.
CJ made this known on Thursday at Ikeja at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Africa Colloquium Against Human Trafficking, in partnership with Pepperdine University, California, United States of America.
The theme of the colloquium was “A United Front Against Ritual Abuse and Sacrifice.”
“The Lagos judiciary will ensure that anyone found guilty of trafficking or ritual abuse faces stringent punishment in accordance with the law.
“There is a need for broader collaboration beyond Africa because trafficking networks have become intercontinental, and sustained public sensitisation and awareness are critical to winning the battle.
“The government, communities, and individuals must unite against this social pandemic as sensitisation and education remain our strongest tools,” the CJ said.
Justice Alogba said human trafficking, ritual killings and organ trade continued to thrive under different guises for economic purposes, centuries after the abolition of slavery.
He said the origins of human trafficking were transactional with the buying and selling of human beings for profit.
“Human trafficking is a business because financial considerations are involved. Ritual abuse and sacrifice are grim offshoots of slavery, initially driven by economic motives.
“The problem cannot be effectively addressed without tackling the social and cultural beliefs that continue to justify the exploitation of human beings.
“Our cultural ethos must be properly investigated because the use of human beings for rituals or any form of abuse, no matter how it is rationalised, is evil,” he said.
He urged local communities to take the lead in identifying and reporting suspicious activities.
According to him, if the community does not perceive human trafficking and ritual abuse as wrong, perpetrators will continue to go unpunished.
