Human trafficking, ritual abuse global pandemic – Lagos CJ

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has described ritual abuse and human trafficking as a global pandemic deeply rooted in the history of slavery.

Alogba, however, called for stronger community vigilance, legal enforcement and international collaboration to eradicate the menace.

The chief judge made this known on Thursday in Ikeja at the 2025 opening ceremony of the Africa Colloquium Against Human Trafficking, in partnership with Pepperdine University, California, United States of America.

Supreme news reports that the theme of the colloquium was: ”A United Front Against Ritual Abuse and Sacrifice.”

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.

Alogba 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.

He also stressed the need for proper training and motivation for law enforcement and investigative officers, describing them as the “foot soldiers” in the anti-trafficking campaign.

He noted that traffickers are now well-organised and heavily funded, requiring equal sophistication in combating their operations.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Lagos State Government, Alogba commended the legislature for enacting stiff penalties against offenders and pledged that the judiciary would enforce the law with strictness.

“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.

“Government, communities, and individuals must unite against this social pandemic as sensitisation and education remain our strongest tools,” Alogba said.