🚨 Edo State is the epicentre of human trafficking, especially of women and girls, from Nigeria to Italy and other parts of Europe.
1. Edo State – Nigeria’s Trafficking Hub 🇳🇬
- Benin City, the capital of Edo State, is the major source of female victims of sex trafficking to Italy, Spain, Germany, and other parts of Europe.
- Studies estimate that 60-80% of Nigerian women trafficked to Europe for sex work come from Edo State.
- The Nigerian National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and UNODC have identified Edo as the state most affected by human trafficking in Nigeria.
2. Why is Edo State the Main Source?
✅ Historical Ties to Italy – Trafficking networks have existed since the 1980s, with many Edo families having relatives in Italy.
✅ Economic Hardship & Unemployment – Many women are deceived with false promises of jobs in Europe.
✅ Organised Criminal Networks – Traffickers, known as “Madams”, operate within well-structured mafias, both in Nigeria and abroad.
✅ Oaths & Juju Rituals – Victims are forced to take traditional oaths (juju rituals), which psychologically bind them to their traffickers.
3. Common Trafficking Routes 🛤️
📍 Nigeria → Niger → Libya → Italy (via the Mediterranean Sea)
📍 Nigeria → Ghana → Senegal → Morocco → Spain
📍 Nigeria → Dubai → Europe (Fake job offers in the UAE used as a transit point)
4. Impact on Women & Society
⚠️ Sexual Exploitation – Over 80% of Nigerian women trafficked to Italy are forced into prostitution.
⚠️ Debt Bondage – Victims must pay traffickers €30,000 – €50,000 before gaining “freedom.”
⚠️ Violence & Abuse – Many suffer rape, physical abuse, and forced labour.
5. Government & NGO Response
🚨 NAPTIP and Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT) are working to rescue victims and prosecute traffickers.
🚨 International Efforts (EU, IOM, UNODC) provide support for returnees but reintegration remains a challenge.
6. Conclusion & Solutions
💡 Edo State remains the primary source of trafficked women from Nigeria to Europe due to a mix of economic hardship, cultural factors, and organised crime.
✅ More awareness, stricter border controls, and economic opportunities for young women are needed to curb trafficking.
Would you like details on anti-trafficking efforts or statistics on repatriated victims from Italy?
