Human Trafficking and Sexual Abuse: Evidence from Female Libya Returnees in Edo State, South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Human trafficking which is arguably one of the biggest organized crime in the World today has been generating increased global attention and condemnation especially since the beginning of the 21st century because of its dehumanization and exploitative nature. Nigeria has been identified as one of the countries largely involved in this ignominious criminal industry with considerable
numbers of her citizens frequently falling prey as victims. This study based on evidence and shared experience from selected female victims of human trafficking returned from Libya by the joint efforts of the Nigeria government and the International Organization of Migration (IOM) explains the harrowing experience the victims go through. In-depth interview was conducted with thirty nine (39) purposively selected female Libya returnees of Edo State origin between January and March 2018. Findings reveal that the victims were sexually abused; fell prey to exploitative labor; engaged in unavoidable ‘survival sex’; had unwanted pregnancies and fatherless children. It is recommended, amongst others, that concerted efforts by the government and other stakeholders to work assiduously to lunch a vigorous campaign against gender discrimination and other cultural and societal attitude that portray women and girls as second fiddle and sexual instrument. Full implementation of the anti-trafficking laws to bring traffickers’ to book will address some of the major drivers of trafficking.