The Civil Society Organization for Conflict Resolution in Nigeria (CS-CRIN) has announced plans to establish Journalists Against Transnational Organised Crime (JATOC), a specialised network aimed at mobilising journalists to take a frontline role in combating human trafficking, irregular migration and other forms of transnational organised crime in Nigeria.
The Executive Director of CS-CRIN, Barrister Adeniyi Aremu, disclosed this during a media engagement and briefing in Kano organised to unveil the organisation’s project, “Strengthening Community Resilience and Institutional Capacity to Address Human Trafficking in Kano State, Nigeria.”
The project, funded by the Global Initiative through the Resilience Fund, seeks to strengthen community and institutional capacity to prevent human trafficking, protect victims and survivors, and improve responses to the growing menace.
Aremu said the establishment of JATOC would begin in Kano State before expanding to other parts of the country, describing the proposed network as a platform for journalists committed to sustained, professional and investigative reporting on transnational organised crime.
He disclosed that a five member committee had already been constituted to drive the establishment and development of JATOC.
According to him, the network would enable journalists to collaborate, share relevant information, strengthen investigative reporting and promote sustained public interest journalism capable of exposing the activities of trafficking networks and other organised criminal groups.
“Journalists have a critical responsibility to expose the underlying causes of trafficking, educate the public on its dangers and challenge narratives that normalise irregular migration and exploitation,” Aremu said.
He stressed that the media possessed enormous influence in shaping public opinion and could play a decisive role in preventing trafficking by exposing its causes, warning vulnerable communities, countering misinformation and holding institutions accountable.
Aremu said Kano was the first state in Northern Nigeria where the CS-CRIN project commenced, expressing optimism that the initiative would gradually extend to other states.
He described Kano as an important exit point and transit route for human trafficking, warning that the situation required coordinated action involving government institutions, civil society organisations, communities and the media.
The CS-CRIN Executive Director also challenged journalists to go beyond reporting individual trafficking cases and investigate the social, economic and institutional factors driving human trafficking and irregular migration.
He specifically identified Kumbotso and Ungogo Local Government Areas as areas considered prone to human trafficking and irregular migration, urging journalists to investigate the factors responsible for the situation.
“Help us unravel the causes, what is making people to traffic human beings and people going on irregular migration in that axis,” he challenged journalists.
Aremu further disclosed that CS-CRIN was working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as part of efforts to address the menace.
He said available data indicated that out of about 9,000 returnees recorded collectively in Nigeria over the past three years, nearly 5,000 were from Kano State, describing the figure as alarming and deserving sustained public attention.
He noted that many of the returnees were concentrated in Kumbotso, Ungogo and other parts of Kano State.
While announcing the formation of JATOC, Aremu emphasised the need for journalists to adopt ethical and survivor centred approaches when reporting human trafficking.
“We know you have that power of responsible reporting about victims and survivors of human trafficking. You can also counter misinformation and raise public awareness against the menace,” he said.
He disclosed that CS-CRIN would train journalists on appropriate terminology for reporting trafficking cases, particularly language that protects the dignity, privacy and rights of victims and survivors.
Beyond the media initiative, Aremu said CS-CRIN would train approximately 40 community-based paralegals who would serve as first responders within their communities by identifying cases, providing initial assistance and facilitating referrals to appropriate institutions.
He also disclosed plans to train about 150 civil society organisations, including media organisations, as part of the project implementation.
The proposed JATOC network, he said, would therefore complement these interventions by creating a specialised community of journalists capable of sustaining public attention on trafficking and transnational organised crime.
The initiative is expected to reposition the media from merely reporting trafficking incidents to becoming an active partner in prevention, investigation, public education, accountability, victim protection and community resilience.
With its planned expansion beyond Kano, JATOC could provide a national platform for journalists to work collectively in exposing criminal networks, amplifying survivor voices, challenging misinformation and compelling authorities to strengthen the fight against human trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime.
CS-CRIN said the partnership with the media marks an important step towards building a stronger, better informed and more resilient society capable of confronting the growing threat of human trafficking and organised crime.
