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Benin City, the headquarters of Edo State, is known to have one of the highest rates of international sex trafficking of young women in Nigeria. This study was designed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and experiences of young women in Benin City, towards international sex trafficking. A random household sample of 1456 women aged 15-25 years w...
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Context 1
... sought to determine the extent of this problem by asking the women whether anyone has ever approached them to assist them in traveling abroad, who these persons were, the countries that were suggested to them and the reasons given for the proposed travels. As shown in the Table 5, 31.9% of the women reported that they had been approached with assistance to travel abroad. The results indicate that these suggestions were most likely to be made by their friends and their immediate relatives (aunt, uncle, brother, sister and parents). ...
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... Italy is the most popular destination for those trafficked for prostitution from Edo State (Carling 2005;Okojie, et al, 2003). Trafficking to other nations of Europe like Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom has also been reported (see, Okonofua, et al, 2004;UK National Referral Mechanism, 2018). Although some scholars argue that diverse forms of trafficking are experienced in the South-South region of Nigeria, the general consensus is that sex trafficking is the main form of exploitation (see, Fitzgibbon, 2003;Okojie et al, 2004;Otoide, 2000). ...
... This was a qualitative enquiry hence the main instrument of data collection was life story or the voluntary narratives of returned migrants. Life stories and short interviews were conducted with returnee victims in Benin City -a notable endemic area in South-South Nigeria with a high rate of cases of returnee victims of human and sex trafficking from Europe (Carling, 2005;NAPTIP, 2016;Okonofua, 2004). In all, six interviews were conducted. ...
... However, traffickers are argued to often enlist close friends and others around a potential victim to lure her into agreeing to travel abroad as seen with the case of the pimp 'trolley' (as they are called) that lured 'Mariam' away to Italy. Many traffickers also normally use their relatives as agents to persuade and get women and young girls from the area to be trafficked as indicated by interviewed returnees in previous studies like the one by Okonofua, et al (2004). A clear indication from the field outcome is the role that poverty plays in predisposing many young girls to becoming victims in Europe. ...
... This study has discovered that there exists a correlation between a woman's age and her level of knowledge, with older women exhibiting a higher level of knowledge. Research conducted in both South Nigeria and Nepal produced similar outcomes, demonstrating that many young women had the highest level of knowledge about human trafficking (Okonofua et al., 2004;Shrestha et al., 2015). These results reinforce the idea that younger generations, especially women, are more likely to have better knowledge of the issue due to their greater access to information and technology (US Emabassy in Nepal, 2022;Lee, 2005). ...
... A similar result was evident in a cross-sectional study conducted in Nepal, that a substantial proportion of women, 76%, were familiar with human trafficking through either hearing about it or reading about it (Shrestha et al., 2015). However, the results of the study showed a lower level of knowledge about human trafficking compared to the study conducted in South Nigeria (Okonofua et al., 2004) but higher than the study conducted in Ethiopia (60%) (Azage et al., 2014). ...
Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights that disproportionately affects the marginalized individuals, particularly women and girls. This study utilized the data from the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey conducted in Nepal to assess the knowledge of currently married women aged 15-49 about human trafficking using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaires were based on the MICS 6 standard questionnaires. The survey used a multistage, stratified cluster probability sampling design and included 14,805 women. In multivariate analysis, respondents in the second to the richest wealth quintiles (aOR range: 1.26-1.56, p<0.001) were more likely to be aware of human trafficking than those in the poorest quintiles. Women with higher secondary or above education (aOR= 29.52, p<0.001), secondary education (aOR= 10.13, p<0.001), and basic education (aOR=2.19, p<0.001) were more likely to be knowledgeable about human trafficking compared to those with no formal education. High, medium, and low media exposure (aOR range: 1.71-4.86, p<0.001) were associated with increased knowledge about human trafficking compared to no exposure. Bivariate analysis revealed that knowledge about human trafficking was significantly associated with education level, wealth index, and urban or rural residence (p<0.001). These findings suggest that interventions to increase knowledge about human trafficking should prioritize women with limited educational opportunities, low wealth status, and those living in rural areas to reduce their vulnerability to trafficking.
... Western legislatures often link it to criminal tendencies and inclination towards anti-social behaviour (Chuang, 2006) as a result, Western government overwhelmingly positioned trafficking within a framework of crime control and prevention. Many researchers and commentators, mostly in source countries, (e.g in West Africa) (see Okonofua et al. 2004; have argued that broader social economic factors need to be considered. Also proliberal anti-human trafficking Western researchers like Bennet (1999) and Musto (2009) partially agree with the source country researchers, prioritising socio-economic factors. ...
... Context of dominant Western conception of human and sex trafficking which favours criminalisation (Anderson & Davidson, 2003;Chuang, 2006;Farley, 2004; UNODC, 2019) versus local understanding which emphasises socio-economic realities and social structural conditions (Soderlund, 2005;Okonofua, 2004) Context of Coercion by Syndicates (US TIP 2019; UNODC, 2016) versus Consent by victims and families (Okojie et al 2003 andOkonofua et al, 2004) The conceptual frame work of the paper can better be viewed by looking at a graphical representation of it as put below. ...
... Context of dominant Western conception of human and sex trafficking which favours criminalisation (Anderson & Davidson, 2003;Chuang, 2006;Farley, 2004; UNODC, 2019) versus local understanding which emphasises socio-economic realities and social structural conditions (Soderlund, 2005;Okonofua, 2004) Context of Coercion by Syndicates (US TIP 2019; UNODC, 2016) versus Consent by victims and families (Okojie et al 2003 andOkonofua et al, 2004) The conceptual frame work of the paper can better be viewed by looking at a graphical representation of it as put below. ...
Human and Sex trafficking issues represent contemporary global social problems which are yet to be solved. Women and young girls are particularly still exposed to the danger of maternal mortality, unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and other health and social consequences. Many victims suffer human rights abuses including confinement and effective captivity, physical and sexual assaults. Through human trafficking and sex trafficking, a nation’s active population is threatened and exploited with young people unable to attain their full potential. This has major implications for development impediments especially for source countries like Nigeria in Africa where a large number of young girls and women are annually recruited for sex work in Europe and other foreign countries. This research thesis uses qualitative research methods to explore tensions between Western framings of the phenomena and the lived experience of populations exposed to human trafficking in the area of study. Keywords: Human and Sex trafficking, Western Framings, Lived Experience of Populations Exposed to the Phenomenon, Understanding Nature and Dynamics, Edo state, South-south Nigeria
... The recent deportations and voluntary return of a huge number of Nigerians mostly youths from Europe, Libya and others, affirm the fact that Nigeria is a hub of irregular migration in West Africa (IOM, 2018). (Okonofua et al. 2004;Damon, Swails and Laine, 2011) are of the view that Benin-City, Edo State, occupies an important place in irregular migration in Nigeria. According to this perspective, irregular migration from Benin-City, Edo State, can be traced back to the 1980s when a number of women from Edo State were recruited for agricultural labour in Italy, however, many of them ended up as commercial sex workers. ...
Migration from the global South to the North is a contemporary problem with a high number of casualties. This study examines the challenges of rehabilitation and reintegration of returnee migrants from Libya in Benin-city, Edo State, Nigeria. Maslow’s Human Needs theory and Push-Pull migration theory were adopted as a framework for the study. Primary data was collected through the use of semi-structured interview guide and non-participant observation. A total number of 20 oral interviews were conducted, which included 10 in-depth interviews with the returnees and 10 key informant interviews with the coordinators and stakeholders of the rehabilitation and reintegration programme in Benin-city, Edo State. Secondary sources included books, journals and Newspapers. Findings show that weak monitoring and evaluation, inadequate funding, stigmatization, politicization of the programme by the Edo State government officials and other stakeholders leading the reintegration programme, are factors that challenge the rehabilitation and reintegration of the returnees from Libya in Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria. Among other things, the study recommended that effective monitoring and evaluation mechanism should be deployed, and collaboration with donor agencies and host nations by the Edo State government is also needed to improve funding and ensure sustainable reintegration of the returnees.
... Year by year, a criminal network was established by some Nigerian States in Italy based on sexual exploitation. Under the current structure, on one side this network provides opportunities for Nigerian women to emigrate, albeit within the prostitution circuit; on the other side, it creates a circuit of money revolving around sexual exploitation (Okonofua et al., 2004). Mamans returning to their country show off their wealthy as status symbol. ...
As a recent phenomenon in the Italian underworld scenario, the paper examines the crime of Nigerian criminal groups in Italy. It presents the main research results based on a variety of judiciary proceedings and interviews with prosecutors, police officers, and representatives of NGOs working with Nigerian trafficked women and asylum seekers. The aims of the paper are to depict the organizational structure and management of the main illegal activities in which Nigerian criminal groups operating in Italy are involved. The first part is based on the main literature on Nigerian criminal groups worldwide. The second outlines the methodology followed, the collected sources and the research questions. The last part analyses the characteristics of their organizational structure and the main criminal activities of drug trafficking and the exploitation of prostitution.
... Other research in Vietnam indicated that sex trafficking victims were primarily recruited through family and kinship networks (Molland, 2010). Another study conducted in Nigeria with 1,456 young women between 15 and 24 years of age revealed that 37 per cent of women indicated that close relatives, friendships, and, to a lesser extent, unknown individuals, traditional medicine practitioners, church members and friends of the mother fraudulently offered them assistance to migrate abroad to help the family's economic situation through sexual exploitation (Okonofua et al, 2004). In Central America, Izcara Palacios (2019) identified girls as young as ten introduced to sexual exploitation by their parents after previous episodes of sexual abuse in the family, as well as families that live economically from the sexual exploitation of a minor and that are sexually exploiting younger daughters as the older ones grow up and become less profitable. ...
Sex trafficking is a current, severe and intense global phenomenon. Many studies have made substantial efforts to map the routes and relations between countries of origin, transit, destination, and the methods of recruitment and retention. With a focus on the role of social relationships, for this article, we conducted a literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to provide further scientific evidence of the elements and processes that push victims – primarily women and girls – into sex trafficking. The findings show that family, intimate relationships, friendships and acquaintances play a critical role in the pre-entry period before sex trafficking. Among these, family violence, abandonment and abuse emerge as severe risk factors, as well as the role of fraudulent intimate relationships. We also include additional social and individual risk factors that, together with the role of family and social relationships, have impacts on potential victims, increasing the likelihood of sex trafficking.
... Cross-border or international human trafcking as mentioned earlier is seen as a universal problem that impacts all parts of the world. Reports indicate that there is a large-scale incidence of trafcking from South-south Nigeria to the western countries like Italy, UK, Austria, France, USA and others (NAPTIP, 2015;Okonofua et al, 2004). The issue that is often problemitised especially among academics is the approach adopted by state actors and nonstate actors in responding to this challenge Malloch and Rigby, 2015). ...
... Cross-border sex trafcking is most common in this part of the country (World Bank, 2005), with Edo the state accounting for the majority of young women and minors trafcked to European countries for commercial sex (Carling, 2005;UNESCO 2006). Italy is recorded as the most popular destination for those trafcked for prostitution from the state (Carling 2005; Okojie, et al, 2003). Trafcking to other parts of Europe like Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom has also been reported (see, Okonofua, et al, 2004;UK National Referral Mechanism, 2018). ...
... Italy is recorded as the most popular destination for those trafcked for prostitution from the state (Carling 2005; Okojie, et al, 2003). Trafcking to other parts of Europe like Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom has also been reported (see, Okonofua, et al, 2004;UK National Referral Mechanism, 2018). ...
Over the years there has been increase in the use of prison to combat crime; yet, crime commission and recidivism keep rising. It is against this background that this paper empirically examines the influence of prison subculture on rehabilitation prospects of inmates with reference to Oke-Kura prison, Ilorin, Kwara State. The objectives of the study are to examine the influence of prison subculture on the activities of inmates towards rehabilitation programmes and the impact of prison philosophy adopted on the rehabilitation prospects of
inmates at Oke-kura prison Ilorin. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with the use of structured questionnaire to elicit information from the respondents (Staff and inmates).
Prison Subculture and Rehabilitation Prospects of Inmates in Oke-kura Prison, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Stratified, simple random sampling and Taro Yamani techniques were used to select 240 respondents. Data for this study were analyzed using descriptive statistics; regression and correlation analysis were used to test the hypotheses formulated for the study through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) with level of significance at 0.05. The study revealed that there is a significant relationship between prison subculture and inmates' desire to
participate in rehabilitation programmes. The study recommended that government should build large workshop, equipped with ultra modern vocational training facilities to complement the efforts of the inmates towards been law abiding citizens after their release and to set up a commission that will empower inmates who have acquired skills after their jail term financially.
... Cross-border or international human trafcking as mentioned earlier is seen as a universal problem that impacts all parts of the world. Reports indicate that there is a large-scale incidence of trafcking from South-south Nigeria to the western countries like Italy, UK, Austria, France, USA and others (NAPTIP, 2015;Okonofua et al, 2004). The issue that is often problemitised especially among academics is the approach adopted by state actors and nonstate actors in responding to this challenge Malloch and Rigby, 2015). ...
... Cross-border sex trafcking is most common in this part of the country (World Bank, 2005), with Edo the state accounting for the majority of young women and minors trafcked to European countries for commercial sex (Carling, 2005;UNESCO 2006). Italy is recorded as the most popular destination for those trafcked for prostitution from the state (Carling 2005; Okojie, et al, 2003). Trafcking to other parts of Europe like Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom has also been reported (see, Okonofua, et al, 2004;UK National Referral Mechanism, 2018). ...
... Italy is recorded as the most popular destination for those trafcked for prostitution from the state (Carling 2005; Okojie, et al, 2003). Trafcking to other parts of Europe like Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom has also been reported (see, Okonofua, et al, 2004;UK National Referral Mechanism, 2018). ...
This study focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its implication on youth unemployment in Lagos State, with emphasis on the nexus between SDGs (16, 1, 3, and 8) as a benchmark for the study. Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select the
respondents. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on rate and status of youth employment, accessibility and affordability of education and state of social infrastructure in Lagos State. A total of 1,000 questionnaire copies were proportionately
distributed, 946 of which were retrieved. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten participants, two each from the selected LGAs. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate statistics, while qualitative data were content analyzed. The coefficient result on rate and status of youth employment indicated that variable determinant factor was 0.51. Hence, 39% was accounted for by unidentied variables in the study. Based on
accessibility and affordability of education and state of social infrastructure, the gradient results were .066 and .042 respectively, suggesting a unit increase in accessibility of education led to .066 unit of social infrastructure and a unit increase in affordability of education led to .042 unit of social infrastructure. All these have a positive relationship which will enhance the attainment of the DGs. The qualitative results aligned totally with the quantitative findings
which emphasized re-orientation of parents' keen interest in formal education as a prospect of employment opportunities for the youth. Also, unviable formal education and infrastructural deficits negatively affect the attainment of SDGs and youth employment with implications for poverty reduction, improved well-being, employment generation and functional inclusive institutions at all levels. The study recommends that the relevant stakeholders should boost quality education, entrepreneurial skills and infrastructural development to enhance youth employment, sustain functional inclusive institutions and economic improvement of the state.
... Sex trafficking is an umbrella term that may include commercial sex work such as prostitution, but also pornography, exotic dancing, stripping, live sex shows, mail-order brides, military prostitution, and sexual tourism (Neha, Deshpande, Nawal and Nour, 2013). Specifically, scholars (Sandru, 1996;Bertone, 2000;Okonofua, Ogbomwan, Alutu, Okop, & Aghahowa, 2004) define sex trafficking as the illicit transportation of women into foreign countries for the purposes of sexual exploitation and for economic and other personal gains. Although victims of sex trafficking can be of any age and of either sex, the majority are women and adolescent girls (Dovydaitis, 2010). ...
... Despite its political significance, the city is poorly industrialized and has limited opportunities for meaningful income-earning activities. Consequently, the state has one of the highest rates of unemployment among youths even in the midst of high school enrolment rate (Okonofua, Ogbomwan, Alutu, Okop & Aghahowa, 2004). The above choice of population sufficed for the purpose of this study because the 12 wards in the Oredo local government area are the interplay of the very urban, the semi-urban and the rural dwellers. ...
... In addition, findings of this study further detailed negative perception of illegal migration and sex trafficking based on individual and national considerations and most importantly, such negative perceptions are hinged on factors such as religion, culture and morality. Confirming this is the findings of Okonofua, Ogbomwan, Alutu, Okop and Aghahowa (2004) and Njoku (2015). Vol.7, Issue 6, June-2020 Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) In understanding the reason women migrate in high numbers, means irrespective; the study found that economic and cultural factors such as lack of employment, poverty and male child preference in the study area has not helped issues. ...
The movement of human populations across the planet has characterized human societies throughout history. However, the increasing rate of such movements across National borders has been in such a way that violates the immigration laws of the destination country, put trafficked persons at risk and has given birth to modern day slavery. This study was therefore designed to ascertain the perception of illegal migration and sex trafficking in Europe among young women in Oredo, Benin City, Nigeria. The study used a multi stage random sample of 90 women aged 18-40 years whom were interviewed using in-depth interviews (20) and Focus Group Discussions guides (7). The qualitative data generated were content analyzed and the results indicate that majority of the women perceive illegal migration and sex trafficking in Europe negatively. They however would not discourage anyone who wishes to engage in the act, partly due to the socio economic benefits derived therein. Given that illegal migration and sex trafficking in Europe is inimical to human and societal well-being, it therefore becomes necessary for social workers and ethical practitioners to advocate the formulation of policies and programmes focusing on ethical migration practice and women empowerment with aim to rehabilitate and reduce human sex exploitation.
... Of this number, women account for 543,122, which is over 50 percent of the population of Benin City. Okonofua (et al., 2004) asserts that young people of 10 to 25 years old account for 40 percent of the population. The city is poorly industrialized and lacks incomegenerating opportunities. ...
... Similarly, Okonofua et al. (2004) andOnyeonoru, (2004) observe that in the context of Nigeria, unemployment, low socioeconomic status of women, especially in parts of Edo and Delta states, are responsible for trafficking in young women. This assertion is buttressed by (Adepoju, 2006), who opines that poverty and ignorance force parents to traffick their children, hoping to benefit from their wages to sustain a deteriorating family income. ...
Trafficking in women remains a global concern despite the local and multilateral efforts to curb it. This work explores a classic case of Benin City, Nigeria, by examining the role that social media and family pressure play in stoking the problem. A cross-sectional analysis of the relevant variables, interviews with government officials, and discussions by victims on the issue show that women are trafficked as a result of the patriarchal tradition that places a little premium on females. The patriarchate of human trafficking is well established in literature. What is surprising in this case is that the networking and interactive characteristics of social media have escalated the problem and emboldened the actors. Unless the authorities take adequate measures to monitor online job advertisements to determine their authenticity, and stock up public libraries with anti-trafficking materials to enlighten vulnerable persons, the problem may become compounded. It may also be more than what the traffic can bear if inter-government agencies do not put in place robust cross border policies to checkmate the activities of traffickers.
