“The judicial processes in Nigeria are often characterized by lengthy durations and complex procedures that can severely hinder the timely resolution of legal cases. Delays in the investigative process, coupled with inadequate evidence handling, have severely undermined the efficacy of the justice system. Many cases are prolonged without resolution, leading to frustrations among victims and their families.”
Nigeria has long been acknowledged as a central hub for human trafficking, acting as a source, transit, and destination country, especially for the trafficking of children. According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), thousands of children fall victim to trafficking each year for various forms of exploitation, including forced labor, domestic servitude, and sexual exploitation. Despite alarming statistics on human trafficking, Nigeria’s legal system faces significant challenges in effectively prosecuting these crimes. The number of traffickers arrested and successfully brought to trial remains strikingly low. This inadequate response not only hampers efforts to address the problem but also allows traffickers to continue operating with relative impunity. Despite the existence of comprehensive anti-trafficking laws in Nigeria that demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing this critical issue, child traffickers often evade accountability. This lack of enforcement allows them to persist in their criminal activities without facing consequences. As society becomes more aware of the complexities and challenges surrounding human trafficking, one pressing question remains: Where is the justice for these vulnerable victims?
A few days ago, I published an article celebrating the extraordinary humanitarian efforts of VDM and Allen Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace, in their recent initiative to successfully repatriate trafficked girls from Abidjan. While it is vital to commend the successes of such initiatives, we must also confront a more complex and pressing challenge: achieving true justice in the fight against human trafficking requires more than merely rescuing individuals. The larger, more formidable task is to dismantle the intricate trafficking networks that prey on vulnerable young women. These networks are deeply entrenched, operating not only within Nigeria but also extending their reach into international territories, complicating efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and protect potential victims. As we come together to celebrate the safe return of these courageous girls, we must take a moment to reflect on a critical issue: Why do many child traffickers vanish without a trace after their arrest?
The Trafficking in Persons Law Enforcement and Administration Act, initially enacted in 2003, was designed to combat human trafficking through a comprehensive legal framework. In 2005, the law was amended to strengthen its provisions and tackle emerging challenges in the fight against trafficking. In 2015, under President Goodluck Jonathan’s leadership, the law was re-enacted, reaffirming the government’s commitment to addressing this serious issue. The Act explicitly prohibits all forms of human trafficking and imposes severe penalties on perpetrators involved in trafficking activities. It also underscores the importance of protecting and rehabilitating victims, acknowledging their vulnerability, and the necessity for supportive services to facilitate their recovery. To make this legislation work, the government established the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to enforce the law, investigate trafficking cases, and implement programs to prevent human trafficking throughout the country. The Key Provisions of the 2015 Re-Enacted Law establish significant penalties to combat various forms of trafficking. Specifically, the law imposes a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment and/or a fine of one million Naira for individuals convicted of labor trafficking. In cases involving the trafficking of children for purposes such as forced begging or hawking, the law stipulates a more severe penalty of up to 10 years of imprisonment. For sex trafficking, the law prescribes imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life. However, the implementation of this Act is inconsistent. Only 23 out of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have adopted it into local legislation. This fragmented implementation reveals the challenges in providing comprehensive protection and rights for children nationwide.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) plays a vital role in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria. However, it faces numerous persistent challenges that severely hinder its ability to prosecute traffickers effectively and dismantle intricate trafficking networks. One of the foremost challenges is the lack of intense collaboration among various law enforcement agencies, which has led to fragmented efforts that are often poorly coordinated. This disjointed approach significantly impairs operations aimed at targeting traffickers. VeryDarkMan (VDM) has recently highlighted a significant lack of collaboration between NAPTIP and immigration authorities in efforts to combat trafficking activities across Nigeria’s borders. According to VDM, the porous nature of these borders allows traffickers to transport young girls to other countries with alarming ease and minimal detection, thereby placing these vulnerable individuals at an increased risk of exploitation. Another concern regarding the effectiveness of NAPTIP) is its severe resource constraints. Despite the agency’s unwavering commitment to combating the pervasive issue of human trafficking, it grapples with chronic underfunding that significantly hampers its operations. The limited financial resources make it challenging for NAPTIP to implement comprehensive training programs for its staff, carry out extensive awareness campaigns, and enhance its investigative capabilities. This combination of inadequate funding and insufficient resources undermines NAPTIP’s overall effectiveness, leaving it struggling to fulfill its critical mandate of protecting vulnerable populations and enforcing anti-trafficking laws.
Victims of human trafficking often find themselves trapped in a cycle of overwhelming fear and intimidation, which significantly hampers their willingness to come forward and provide critical testimony in legal proceedings. This pervasive sense of dread is magnified by the very real threat of retaliation from their traffickers, who have been known to employ violent or coercive tactics to silence those who might expose their illegal activities. Traffickers may resort to physical harm, threats against the victims’ families, or psychological manipulation to instill a deep-seated fear that prevents victims from seeking help. As a result of this fearful environment, there is a troubling lack of essential evidence that is crucial for successfully prosecuting traffickers. Victims often remain silent, fearing not only for their own safety but also for the safety of loved ones. This silence creates significant challenges for law enforcement and legal authorities who rely on firsthand accounts and testimonies to build strong cases against perpetrators. The cycle of fear, intimidation, and silence thus contributes to the difficulty in dismantling trafficking operations and delivering justice for the victims, further entrenching the criminals in a culture of impunity.
The judicial processes in Nigeria are often characterized by lengthy durations and complex procedures that can severely hinder the timely resolution of legal cases. Delays in the investigative process, coupled with inadequate evidence handling, have severely undermined the efficacy of the justice system. Many cases are prolonged without resolution, leading to frustrations among victims and their families. Additionally, the absence of robust witness protection measures leaves individuals vulnerable, deterring them from coming forward with crucial information. In some instances, there are troubling signs of complicity among law enforcement agents, further eroding public trust in those tasked with upholding the law. As a result, victims often feel overwhelmed and disheartened, facing not only the trauma of their experiences but also the harsh realities of threats, societal stigma, and an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. This creates a chilling effect, discouraging many from pursuing legal action and leaving them to navigate their struggles alone. Although arrests are sometimes made, the judicial process progresses glacially, leading to prolonged trials that frequently lack definitive outcomes. Many traffickers can secure bail and then vanish without a trace, effectively evading justice. In certain instances, they take advantage of loopholes in the legal system, using bribery and their connections to influential figures to manipulate legal proceedings. This level of corruption and systemic failure not only emboldens trafficking networks but also sends a discouraging message: that Nigeria is not adequately addressing the serious issue of child exploitation. The combination of slow judicial processes and pervasive corruption undermines efforts to protect vulnerable children and combat trafficking effectively.
Cultural stigmas significantly impede the recovery of trafficking victims, creating a challenging environment for healing and reintegration. In numerous communities, those who have experienced trafficking often face intense judgment and social ostracism. This harsh treatment exacerbates feelings of shame, isolation, and vulnerability that individuals already grapple with after their traumatic experiences. The societal stigma surrounding trafficking not only discourages victims from seeking vital assistance—whether psychological, medical, or legal—but also perpetuates damaging narratives that further entrap them in cycles of abuse. As these narratives take root within the community, they make it increasingly difficult for victims to break free from the shame attached to their circumstances. These interconnected issues contribute to a broader problem of human trafficking in Nigeria and similar regions where cultural attitudes serve as barriers to recovery. Victims find themselves trapped in a systemic cycle, where fear of judgment, combined with the stigma associated with their experiences, leads to a reluctance to access support services.
The pressing and complex issue we face today centers on the question: what comprehensive strategies and approaches should we adopt to combat the pervasive and insidious practice of human trafficking effectively? Much of the current discourse has predominantly focused on two fundamental areas: first, the quest for justice for the victims who have endured unimaginable suffering, and second, the implementation of robust protective measures and support systems designed to aid those affected by traffickers. However, this ongoing dialogue often overlooks several equally critical dimensions of the issue. One vital aspect that deserves our attention is the offenders themselves—the traffickers—along with an examination of their underlying motivations and the circumstances that drive them to commit such abhorrent acts. Addressing child trafficking necessitates a comprehensive approach that emphasizes the identification and dismantling of offenders and their networks. This entails investigating the offenders, their connections, and their backers while ensuring perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. Gaining a deeper understanding of the profiles of traffickers and the networks that facilitate their operations is vital for grasping the complexities of human trafficking and improving our strategies to combat it. Furthermore, it is crucial to urgently establish and implement a comprehensive set of preventive measures designed to disrupt trafficking activities before they become deeply rooted in communities. This initiative should focus on establishing a robust whistleblowing framework that empowers individuals to report suspicious activities and indicators of trafficking. By creating accessible reporting channels for whistleblowers—such as hotlines, online platforms, and community outreach programs—we can promote the timely identification of potential trafficking situations. Early intervention is crucial, so this system must include incentives to encourage individuals to report trafficking cases as promptly as possible.
From a legal perspective, it is imperative to enact and uphold stringent penalties that are commensurate with the gravity of trafficking offenses. Such measures should include the imposition of considerably longer prison sentences that serve as a deterrent to potential offenders, alongside mandatory restitution provisions that require traffickers to compensate victims for their suffering and losses. Furthermore, establishing specialized trafficking courts is crucial; these courts would be dedicated exclusively to handling trafficking cases, thus allowing for a more focused and informed approach to adjudication. In addition to increasing penalties, trials for arrested individuals must be conducted swiftly and conclusively. Until child traffickers are consistently apprehended, prosecuted, and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding its children will remain merely an unfulfilled promise. On a moral level, it is crucial to acknowledge the deeply troubling reality of human traffickers who prey upon vulnerable individuals. These traffickers often exploit the dire circumstances faced by their victims—such as poverty, lack of education, or unstable family situations—manipulating their desperation for personal financial gain. This insidious exploitation not only inflicts direct harm on the victims, subjecting them to inhumane treatment and violations of their fundamental rights, but it also feeds into a larger systemic issue. The practice of trafficking reinforces and perpetuates cycles of poverty, dependency, and abuse within communities. As these individuals are coerced into various forms of labor or sexual exploitation, they become trapped in a relentless cycle that can be nearly impossible to escape, further entrenching their disadvantage and suffering. The ramifications of this exploitation extend beyond the immediate victims, as it erodes the social fabric and stability of entire nation, creating a pervasive environment where such abuses can thrive unchallenged.
On a social level, it is crucial to enhance awareness of the complexities surrounding human trafficking and to gain a deeper understanding of the profiles of traffickers. Human trafficking, often defined as the exploitation of vulnerable individuals for labor or commercial sex, can manifest in surprising places, including our own neighborhoods. Thus, public education campaigns are essential. These initiatives can shed light on the myriad factors contributing to trafficking, such as poverty, lack of education, and systemic inequalities. By educating the public, we can demystify this pressing issue and emphasize that trafficking is not solely a plight of distant lands but a significant concern that impacts many communities—sometimes in alarmingly subtle ways. Increased awareness empowers individuals to recognize the warning signs of trafficking, such as visible fear in a person or signs of control by a third party and encourages them to take action. Community involvement is vital in prevention efforts, fostering a collective sense of responsibility. By equipping the public with knowledge and resources, we inspire proactive measures, such as reporting suspicious activities or supporting local organizations dedicated to combating trafficking. Ultimately, an informed and vigilant community can play a pivotal role in preventing human trafficking and safeguarding potential victims.
The fight against human trafficking cannot rest solely on the shoulders of NAPTIP; it demands a coordinated effort that involves everyone in Nigeria. This multifaceted approach should establish stronger whistleblower policies, share intelligence, and develop joint strategies to dismantle trafficking networks. Moreover, sharing practical strategies and successful experiences among individuals will encourage and empower them to come forward and report any suspected trafficking attempts. This exchange of best practices can create a supportive environment where individuals feel more confident in recognizing the signs of trafficking and understanding the importance of reporting these incidents to authorities. A crucial question we face is whether Nigerians will demonstrate a genuine commitment to collaborate with security agencies in this battle against human trafficking. This issue goes beyond legal challenges; it represents a profound moral imperative that touches all facets of life. Moreover, the pervasive corruption within various levels of Nigeria raises significant concerns about the country’s ability to combat trafficking and implement necessary reforms effectively. Thus, the success of these efforts depends on our genuine commitment to addressing this urgent issue. Only time will tell if Nigerians can effectively tackle these complex challenges in the global fight against trafficking.
Rev. Ma, S. J., is a Jesuit Catholic priest of the North West Africa Province of the Society of Jesus. He currently writes from the Guardian Angel Catholic Police Chapel Lugbe, Abuja, Nigeria.
