Trafficking in persons within states in the Northwest is on the increase. This activity is majorly carried out on unmanned border routes. In addition, the high level of poverty, banditry and low agriculture yield which is associated with climate change, also drive human trafficking in this region.
Furthermore, trafficking in persons is made easier in this region as a result of close proximity to Niger Republic. States in the Northwest namely Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi share a common boundary with Niger and their borders are used to traffic persons to Niger through Libya with the final destination in Europe. This journey takes VoTs through Agadez (a town in Niger Republic), across the Saharan desert and finally Libya.[1] The journey to Europe includes treacherous trips within and across national boundaries and crossing the Mediterranean Sea, frequently in perilous and hazardous dinghy.[2]
The trafficking situation in this region is also gendered, with women and children comprising most of the rescued victims. It is important to note that women who get trafficked to Libya using Niger as transit sometimes get exploited earlier in the country and at various stages throughout their journey,[1] both in their home country and during transit in Niger and Libya. These women are often subjected to considerable sexual abuse and exploitation at “connection houses” or “ghettos” in Niger, where they stay before proceeding with their journey. Children also comprise a significant number of VoTs in the Northwest, with the report from service providers revealing a high prevalence of internal trafficking of children, the majority of whom are utilised for domestic labour.
Recent statistics from agencies working on trafficking, especially in the Northwest are damning. For example, in August 2021, various reports on victims of trafficking rescued from Kano[2] by NAPTIP were identified to have been trafficked from Jigawa through Kaduna and Katsina.[3] Furthermore, insecurity and violence in states such as Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara have produced a large number of displaced persons over the years[4] and these displaced persons are at a high risk of becoming victims of trafficking.
Following this, International Organization for Migration (IOM) under the COMPASS programme with funding from the Netherlands engaged the consultant to carry out a mapping exercise of state and non-state actors providing services for Victims of Trafficking in the North-West. The result from the mapping exercise revealed that non-state actors such as CSOs lacked the relevant capacity in providing services to VoTs.
[1] Esposito, F., Quinto, C. R., De Masi, F., Gargano, O., & Costa, P. A. (2016). Voices of Nigerian Women Survivors of Trafficking Held in Italian Centres for Identification and Expulsion. International Migration, 54(4), 133–149. doi:10.1111/imig.12253
10.1111/imig.12253
[2]Ibid
[3] NAPTIP (2021). https://www.naptip.gov.ng/kano-state-governor-promises-sustained-support-for-naptip-towards-ending-human-trafficking-in-nigeria/
[4] Ibid
[1] Pathfinders Justice Initiative (2021) Nigeria: Human Trafficking Factsheet https://pathfindersji.org/nigeria-human-trafficking-factsheet/
[2] Ibid
