By Fortune Abang

Ms. Paola Pace, Deputy Head of Mission at the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has emphasised the urgent need to prioritise the prevention and prosecution of trafficking in persons.

She stressed that these efforts are crucial to eradicating the crime in Nigeria.

Pace made this known at the award ceremony for the third edition of the short film contest on combating trafficking, on Thursday in Abuja.

She explained that the contest, which attracted 80 entries in 2025, was an important platform for young Nigerians to use storytelling to raise awareness about trafficking based on real-life experiences.

“We started in 2023 with 40 submissions, then 50, and now 80. This shows growing interest among youth to join the fight against trafficking through creative storytelling,” she said.

She highlighted the importance of working on both prevention and prosecution, noting that traffickers were driven by financial gain.

“Freezing traffickers’ assets and using those funds to support survivors is crucial.

“At the same time, reducing the number of people lured by false promises is essential,” Pace added.

Kehinde Akomolafe, Director of Public Enlightenment at the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), lauded IOM’s efforts in raising awareness that traffickers could be people close to victims, such as relatives or employers.

She urged deeper collaboration to end trafficking, which affected women, girls, boys, and men.

“Thanks to IOM’s support, we have carried out numerous sensitisation programmes and trained judges for designated human trafficking courts.

“We have secured more than 700 convictions and rescued more than 20,000 victims,” Akomolafe said.

She also called for increased awareness to break the culture of silence that hindered progress.

The contest winner, media strategist and storyteller, Babalola Oluwatobi, stressed the importance of advocacy in preventing trafficking.

“People often overlook the involvement of close friends and family in trafficking networks, which demands serious attention,” he said.

Jayeoba David and Ndulue Emmanuel took second and third place respectively.

The annual short film contest, inaugurated in 2023, awards 2,500 dollars for first prize, 1,500 dollars for second, and 1,000 dollars for third place.

It aims to encourage public engagement and promote creative storytelling in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru