In December 2025, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice officially appointed and inaugurated Heads of Legal Units from all 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to serve as Local Government Focal Persons for the Lagos State Task Force Against Human Trafficking. This inauguration was part of a strategic framework to strengthen grassroots responses against human trafficking and build coordinated prevention, detection, reporting, and referral mechanisms at the community level.
During the ceremony:
- The Attorney-General emphasized that these positions are responsibilities with active duties, not just titles.
- The Focal Persons formally took an undertaking of commitment to support the anti-trafficking framework.
2. Core Duties of an Appointed Head of Legal Unit (Focal Person)
While the State Task Force’s legal documents aren’t publicly published online, the official inauguration speech and framework outline a set of key functions expected of these Heads of Legal Units:
a. Legal Oversight & Coordination
- Serve as the legal anchor for the Task Force at the local government level.
- Provide administrative and legal leadership within the local government’s anti-trafficking structure.
- Act as the main liaison between the local government, community stakeholders, and the State Task Force Secretariat.
b. Early Identification & Reporting
- Be vigilant in detecting early indicators of human trafficking risks in the community.
- Ensure prompt reporting of suspected trafficking cases to appropriate authorities and the Task Force network.
c. Effective Referrals
- Facilitate referrals of identified victims to support services (e.g., protection, rehabilitation, psychosocial aid) in line with approved procedures.
d. Community Engagement & Awareness
- Sustain engagement with community leaders, schools, religious institutions, market associations, and other grassroots stakeholders to prevent trafficking and strengthen early warning systems.
e. Accountability and Coordination
- Support clarity of roles and accountability by coordinating closely with designated Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) Desk Officers who handle field operations and community intelligence.
3. Legal/Institutional Context
Although the State Task Force and its local implementation framework may not be fully codified in a single statute, it operates as a multi-agency mechanism for implementation of trafficking laws and policies in Lagos State. The overarching goals include:
- Coordinating a multi-sectoral response to preventing human trafficking.
- Enhancing protection and prosecution efforts.
- Strengthening legal enforcement and community-based referral systems.
In this structure, Heads of Legal Units are strategically positioned to ensure legal compliance, effective coordination, and community-level responsiveness tied to broader state policy and the Task Force workplan.
4. Why This Role Matters
This shift to empower legal officers in local councils reflects the understanding that:
- Human trafficking often begins at the community level.
- Early detection, legal assessments, and coordinated referrals can prevent exploitation and enhance protection for victims.
- Legal officers can help bridge gaps between grassroots realities and state/prosecution systems.