Ajara Community Engages in Dance Theatre to Combat Human Trafficking to Commemorate World Day Against Human Trafficking
On July 31, 2025, the Devatop Centre for Africa Development, in collaboration with program partners, hosted a vibrant community theatre outreach in Ajara, a border community in Badagry, Lagos State. The outdoor event creatively combined dance, drama, and poetry to raise awareness about the dangers of human trafficking while encouraging residents to report suspected cases. Market leaders, community stakeholders, and local residents gathered to participate in this unique initiative aimed at empowering the community to take action against trafficking.
The program opened with a presentation by Hunge Gabriel from MAEJT, who introduced the initiative, its objectives, and the collaborating organizations. His remarks set the tone for the event, emphasizing the need for local engagement in the fight against human trafficking. The market leader of Ajara Market further reinforced this message in her welcome address, urging the community to remain vigilant and proactive. She highlighted the vulnerability of children, particularly those lured into domestic servitude through false promises of a better life made by traffickers to unsuspecting families.
Janet Homo, representing Devatop, educated participants on the various forms of human trafficking and the crucial role community members play in prevention. She underscored the importance of reporting suspected cases, beginning with the nearest police station and extending to specialized agencies like the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). To enhance community reporting, she also introduced the TALKAM Human Rights App and shared hotline numbers that provide accessible channels for reporting human rights violations.
To foster active participation, the outreach incorporated a lively dance competition that featured both children and adults. This interactive segment not only drew more community members to the event but also created an engaging atmosphere that reinforced the day’s message.
The highlight of the event was a captivating dance drama and poetry performance by Emajo Arts Initiative, a program partner. Their artistic presentation vividly illustrated the dangers of human trafficking and the power of collective community action. By blending education with entertainment, the outreach left a lasting impression, reminding Ajara residents that combating human trafficking requires vigilance, unity, and the courage to speak out.
