By: Chiamaka Mogo and Maryam Amodu
““Trafficking in persons” shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery…”. — United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (2000)
Background
A quick search on trafficking within Africa highlights cases of female, Nigerian victims of this crime. Further analysis of data, explains why media coverage of trafficked Nigerian women and girls, seemingly stands out across the continent. For at least, over a decade, Nigerian females have been the targets of traffickers who have exploited them for domestic labour, sex work etc. This briefing note highlights the socio-political factors that have contributed to the issue of trafficking of Nigerian women and girls. The paper also analyses systemic and cultural factors — such as, poverty and increasing societal pressures — that seem to catalyse trafficking in Nigeria. Some recommendations for tackling trafficking within the Nigerian context are included in this briefing note.
Analysing statistics on trafficking in Nigeria
While Nigerians of different genders are affected by trafficking, females are by far, the main targets of traffickers. According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), 60-80% of women in the European sex trade are Nigerian (NAPTIP, not dated, p. 12). The gender inequality gap in Nigeria is evident from cultural norms to religious practices to socio-economic outcomes. In Nigeria. more women than men are of low literacy, with more boys in school than girls (Human Rights Watch, 2019). Gender-based violence against women, inequity and governance issues have strong roles to play in the high rates of trafficking of Nigerian females. According to NAPTIP, 70% of persons trafficked in Nigeria’s Southern region are women and girls (NAPTIP, 2019, p. 22). Thus, highlighting that women and girls are at more risk of being exploited by traffickers.
In 2017, the Nigerian government claimed that about 17 million citizens resided abroad (Fidelis, 2017). Although this statistic is difficult to validate, what is clear, is that the number has increased over time as many Nigerians emigrate to seek better opportunities. A large number of them are women trafficked for sex work. The 2019 trafficking in persons report on Nigeria by the United States government states that 80% of Nigerian migrants in Italy are women who are present victims of trafficking or at risk of becoming victims of trafficking for sex work (United States Department of State, 2019)
From within Nigeria to the Middle East to Europe and across Africa, many vulnerable Nigerian women and girls have been exploited by traffickers. The most popular trafficking destinations outside of Africa are in Europe and many victims end up in Italy. The journey to Italy could involve transits through various African nations, beginning with countries in Northern Africa such as Libya and Morocco (Carling, 2006, p. 34). In Nigeria, a disproportionate amount of trafficked women hail from specific regions; one of such is Edo state, where there is a long history of sex trafficking of women who typically are forced into spiritual covenant agreements with Madams. These agreements often mean that the Madams sponsor the travel arrangements and accommodation of the trafficked persons, while the latter pay off their debt through sex work. These debts are usually large amounts of money, often meaning that the women would be restricted to being in their Madams’ employ for many years, until they can earn their freedom. The women usually have no idea when the amount of debt they owe has been inflated or how long it might take to pay back their sponsor, if they are not familiar with the foreign currency (Carling, 2006, p. 28). The Human Rights Watch has referred to this as “debt bondage” (Human Rights Watch, 2019). Trafficking clearly renders deep damage to victims.
Although Edo state has a history of women emigrating to Europe, particularly to Italy, it was not initially for sex work or because of trafficking. They were among the first Nigerian women to go to Europe willingly on business trips and resorted to sex work, upon being compromised (Braimah, 2013, p. 12). The need for better economic welfare has been a solid factor influencing the development of trafficking in Edo state and other parts of Nigeria. Not only does poverty influence the decision to believe the trafficker’s offer is beneficial, it also changes the narrative of sex trafficking from dangerous and criminal into a promising opportunity. Over 80% of women trafficked to Italy have been found to be from Edo state (Carling, 2006, p. 25). An alarming figure. The poverty rate of Edo state is lower than that of 75% of Nigerian states (Braimah, 2013, p.11). Hence, indicating wide inequity gaps in Nigeria and the need for governance that creates an enabling environment for women and girls to thrive, free from exploitation and violence.
Other states in Nigeria are not exempt from the trafficking endemic. The United Nations Educational and Scientific Cultural Organization/UNESCO (2006) published a policy paper that explains various forms of trafficking. The report cites Abia, Ebonyi and Lagos states as being locations where baby harvesting is on the rise. Sometimes disguised as orphanages, trafficked women are forced to have sex and sell their babies to couples who would pay up to “N500,000 (about US $3875)” (UNESCO, 2006, p. 31). In some Northern Nigerian states such as Kaduna and Kano, organized begging is a reason for trafficking and often victims are disabled and forced to beg for money on the busy city streets. They are usually not beneficiaries of the money they make (UNESCO, 2006, p. 31). Other instances include the trafficking of women and girls for forced early marriages within and outside of Nigeria. The report by Human Rights Watch cites the political insurgency due to Boko Haram as a key element to this particular type of trafficking in that region (Human Rights Watch, 2019). Many abducted girls end up becoming wives to insurgents (United States Department of State, 2019). The national and sub-national governments of Nigeria have to work together, to the end trafficking of women and girls within and outside of Nigeria.
Action is being taken to fast track the intervention of sub-national governments and traditional rulers, in this matter. NAPTIP’s collaborations with sub-national governments, as well as, other relevant stakeholders in Nigeria have led to the creation of, “Task Forces on Human Trafficking” in a few states (UNODC Nigeria, 2019). Buy-in from political leaders is key in leading actions and emergency responses to the menace of trafficking of Nigerian females. It is vital that all states in Nigeria have such a Task Force and keep the body active to the cause for which it was set-up. Traditional rulers are also key to solving societal issues such as trafficking. The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, who is the monarch of one of Africa’s most revered ancient kingdoms has been responsive on this particular matter. In the year 2018, he assembled a delegation of traditional priests and dissuaded them against being used by Madams to intimidate potential victims of trafficking (Ebegbulem, 2018). Such a move ties into the customary and historical roles of traditional leaders across Nigeria — to convene for peace, equity and progress.
The statistics show that more work is needed
The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the risk factors for victims of trafficking. Point of entry lockdowns and restrictions make it difficult for victims to return back to Nigeria (TIME, 2020). The pandemic has widened the limits of reach for institutions that typically assist victims of trafficking in returning back to Nigeria safely (TIME, 2020). A cut-off from or lack of access to such resources will lead to dismal affects for victims, who are typically females.
It is time for governments across Nigeria to accelerate actions against trafficking of Nigerian women and girls.
Recommendations
The following are directed to the federal government of Nigeria, the sub-regional governments and their ministries, departments and agencies that are relevant to this matter:
Provide training programs — on identifying acts of trafficking and protecting victims — to immigration and border officials at points of entry across Nigeria.
Engage traditional leaders in efforts to sensitise community members against participating in trafficking of persons.
Invest adequate funding in shelters that cater to the needs of women and girls that are victims of trafficking and/or at risk of being trafficked.
Create laws, as well as, programs that foster equal opportunities for women and men to thrive financially.
Mobilise funds to enable sustainable reintegration for returnees who were trafficked.
Display posters that have anti-trafficking help lines and locations, at major travel routes and points of entry across Nigeria.
Collaborate with (local) civil society organizations, as well as, international organizations to curb the alarming rates of trafficking of Nigerian women and girls.
References
Braimah, T. (2013). Sex Trafficking in Edo State: Causes and Solutions. Global Journal Of Human Social Science, 13(3), pp. 17 - 29.
Carling, J. (2006). Migration, human smuggling, and trafficking from Nigeria to Europe, pp. 8 - 34. Geneva: International Organization for Migration.
Ebegbulem, S. (2018). "Our gods will destroy you”; Oba of Benin curse human traffickers. Vanguard. Retrieved from: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/gods-will-destroy-oba-benin-curse-human-traffickers/
Fidelis, M. (2017). 17 million Nigerians living abroad, says government. The Guardian Nigeria. Retrieved from: https://guardian.ng/news/17-million-nigerians-living-abroad-says-government/
Human Rights Watch (2019). “You Pray for Death”. Trafficking of Women and Girls in Nigeria. Retrieved from: https://www.hrw.org/report/2019/08/27/you-pray-death/trafficking-women-and-girls-nigeria
National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) (Not dated). Fact Sheet 6, pp. 12 - 13. Retrieved from: https://www.naptip.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Fact-Sheet-1.pdf
NAPTIP (2019). Nigeria Country Report on Human Trafficking, pp. 11 - 30. Retrieved from: https://www.naptip.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Nigeria-Country-Report-on-Human-Trafficking2.pdf
TIME (2020). COVID-19 Lockdowns Left Nigerian Trafficking Survivors Stranded. Now They're Looking for a Way Home. Retrieved from: https://time.com/5864964/nigeria-trafficking-survivors-coronavirus/?utm_source=IOM+External+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=1beaa83c1b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_07_23_03_00&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9968056566-1beaa83c1b-
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2006). Human trafficking in Nigeria: root causes and recommendations, pp. 1 - 66. Paris: UNESCO. Retrieved from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000147844
United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner. (2000). Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Retrieved from: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/ProtocolTraffickingInPersons.aspx
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Nigeria (2019). Nigeria heeds global call, sets up State Task Force against human trafficking. Retrieved from: https://www.unodc.org/nigeria/en/nigeria-heeds-global-call--sets-up-state-task-force-against-human-trafficking.html
United States Department of State (2019). 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report: Nigeria. Retrieved from: https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-trafficking-in-persons-report-2/nigeria/