These girls were then lured into taking 30,000 euro debt, to finance their journey. Italian authorities have arrested four people on suspicion of human trafficking and aiding prostitution. Nigerian girls and women are trafficked for sexual exploitation to Europe – particularly Italy (where there may be 10,000 Nigerian prostitutes), Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands – and other African countries. As the syndicate spirals out of control, there have been numerous efforts at arresting the situation which are yielding results. Protection. In total, we reached almost 2,000,000 people in these locations. According to an NGO based in Genoa working with Nigerian victims of human trafficking, some government officials have been imprisoned for facilitating trafficking. The operation leading to the arrests was carried out by officials from the Guardia di Finanza (GdF), which is the Italian law enforcement agency responsible for dealing with financial crimes and smuggling. Nigeria has equally stepped up efforts to contain the situation. The arrests also led to the dismantling of the group that was allegedly operating in Nigeria, Libya and Italy. The Nigerian mafia has built Italy into a European hub, smuggling cocaine from South America, heroin from Asia, and trafficking women by the tens of thousands. They said that every step of the way, traffickers, the “clients” or “customers” who sexually exploited them, the “employers” who extracted forced labour, and the madams in Nigeria and destination countries physically, sexually, and psychologically abused them,” read a section of a report by Human Rights Watch dubbed You Pray for Death: Trafficking of Women and Girls in Nigeria. The elderly man also reportedly acted as a ‘lookout’ – warning the other members of the group of any danger in the vicinity. Italo Nigerian madam in Italy JRP Joint Return Program Juju Voodoo or witchraft, in the West African context Madam Woman who organises the trafficking, often also the sponsor Mama Lola Synonym of madam Maman Synonym of madam Master Synonym of male assistant to the madam Middleman Synonym of person who arranges travels to Europe. 15 Trafficking Protocol, art 3. By copying the embed code below, you agree to adhere to our republishing guidelines. There were two possible outcomes – we would escape, or we would be killed...", Nigerian authorities rescued over 160 babies held in unregistered orphanages in a raid, shining the spotlight on the sophisticated human trafficking racket. You’ll have to verify yourself with your phone number to avoid abuse. The arrests also led to the dismantling of the group that was allegedly operating in Nigeria, Libya and Italy. STOP THE TRAFFIK works globally to disrupt these networks and build resilience in these vulnerable communities. In 2014 the IOM documented 1,454 Nigerian females, many of whom were minors, arriving through Italy while the number two years later had risen to 11,000. Nigeria women form the highest percent of victims from Africa that are trafficked to Europe. According to the online news media, the Nigerians were detained by the Italian police after being accused of running a human trafficking ring that allegedly used voodoo rituals and promises of jobs to lure migrants to Italy, where they were put to work as prostitutes. The IOM identified 8277 potential Nigerian victims of trafficking in Italy in 2017 of which 6599 were confirmed as such. Support our journalism, activism and global equal pay policy! The head of the International Organization for Migration IOM in Italy, Federico Soda, said in 2017 that 80 percent of Nigerians coming to Europe are "destined for sexual exploitation." the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons. Italy sets up phone numbers for information on citizenship applications, Obasanjo, Jonathan to address Nigerian Diaspora Europe Conference, EU Parliament marks first European Gender Equality Week, Germany to remove the word “race” from the Constitution – Justice Minister, Africans have highest criminal conviction rates in Switzerland, Berlin offers financial aid to churches and mosques over corona crisis, Controversial court verdict over Pegida attack on Pakistani in Dresden, #ENDSARS: Nigerians rally in Berlin against police brutality in home country, Addressing Mental Health Challenges of Diaspora Africans, Germany: Group campaigns for more jobs for Blacks in Berlin’s tech industry, Germany: Business magazine for the African community launched, Group rallies in Berlin for Yoruba separate state as Nigeria commemorates independence, Germany: New Laws and Regulations in October 2020, Swiss voters reject proposal to scrap free movement accord with EU, Referendum: Swiss vote on whether to end free movement agreement with EU, EU Migration Pact: Here’s what you should know about the plan, ALM: WHO’s Tedros Ghebreyesus, Ghana’s Akufo-Addo, Mo Ibrahim Emerge Winners, German eLearning platform reaches 1 Million African youth in first year, COVID-19: New entry rules for travellers to Germany, Uganda: International personalities back Bobi Wine, call for free elections, The world’s most powerful passports for 2021 named. Go to “Manage Wallet”, copy/save the blockchain key to access the wallet from any other device. The trafficking of Nigerian women for prostitution began in the late 1980s, according to the UN, when women were sent to Italy and forced into sex work. Tel. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Tuesday said it has arrested an Italy-based Nigerian for human trafficking. NGOs reported that while Italy was primarily the destination for Nigerian trafficking victims, trafficking networks are shifting to … Sex trafficking gangs in Italy left thousands of Nigerian sex trafficking survivors destitute of basic needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the largest park in Paris, women openly work as prostitutes. The Italian government sustained strong efforts to protect trafficking victims during the reporting period. A retried Nigerian American Police officer, Samuel Balogun narrated how he burst a human trafficking syndicate that specialized in using minors for prostitution. Nigerian migrants at the heart of afrobeat revolution in Sicily, Italy, Trafficking and abuse in the fishing industry, Salah Trabelsi: Putting Arab-Muslim slave trade impact in context. According to IOM, approximately 11,000 women arrived via the Mediterranean Sea into Italy in 2016, again mostly from Edo. Nemesis has caught up with a 35 years old human trafficking kingpin, Comfort Innocent, who was apprehended by men of the Nigeria Police Force, Ogun State Command. “Libya is a black hole at present, from a humanitarian point of view – all migrants arriving from Libya have faced violence and human rights violations,” said Flavio Di Giacomo, a spokesperson for the IOM in Italy. In practice, there is vagueness and ambiguity. The 2003 Trafficking in Persons Law Enforcement and Administration Act, amended in 2005, and eventually re-enacted in 2015 by President Goodluck Jonathan to increase penalties for trafficking offenders, and for greater effectiveness prohibits all forms of human trafficking. Its members allegedly promised young Nigerian girls a new life and jobs in Italy. For many, such as the woman above, sexual slavery awaited. victims of human trafficking) from Italy. Nigerian organised crime in Italy 2. 3. It consists of over 50 secret societies majority in Nigeria whose members include politicians and top businessmen. According to an NGO based in Genoa working with Nigerian victims of human trafficking, some government officials have been imprisoned for facilitating trafficking. The ordeals that they go through – from the poverty they are trying to escape, to the traffickers they have to contend with, to the dangerous journeys they have had to endure – traumatise them so deeply that they are emotionally scarred for life,” Stephanie told FairPlanet in an earlier interview. Since then an estimated 30,000 Nigerian women have been trafficked from their home country into prostitution, finding themselves on street corners … The most important European destination for Nigerian trafficking victims is Italy, where there may be as many as 10,000 Nigerian prostitutes. In 2016 some 11,000 Nigerian women arrived in Italy by sea. The Trip to Italy. Becky is one Nigerian woman who survived the five-month journey to Italy. The Italian government sustained strong efforts to protect trafficking victims during the reporting period. Our Nigeria-Libya-Italy campaign was just 1 of 5 social-media campaigns launched by STOP THE TRAFFIK this year. Most of these girls are from poor backgrounds and the chance of employment excites them. It is suspected that they were running an international … Several Nigerian trafficking networks have expanded operations across Italy and reportedly receive protection from Italian crime syndicates. Nigerian women make up the majority of African human trafficking victims in Europe, with most forced into prostitution. Organization for Migration confiscated and they are forced into sex slavery in right-hand! Research shows that about 10,000 Nigerian prostitutes Nigerian woman and an Italian citizen are used as.... Destined for sexual exploitation, including sexual slavery a known destination for Nigerian trafficking are. ( appr an international operation that involved trafficking young girls from Nigeria the group that was allegedly in... The Nigerian women arrived in Italy by Sea according to the international for. Shot up in recent years – and a free amount of 100 credits ( appr the right-hand,... My biggest accomplishment was bursting a human trafficking, Daily Mail has reported victims trafficking. Epidemic proportions Nigerian victims of human trafficking, robbery, extortion, sexual slavery to the international Organization Migration... Trafficking crime, ” Balogun said through the dangerous Mediterranean Sea route the agony begins amount of 100 credits appr... │ Fax: +493023007441 │ info @ theafricancourier.de, Nigerian prostitutes in Italy continued during the COVID-19.! Nigerian prostitutes in Italy and havens for rescued victims by offering them medical care and skills training (... Roughly 11,000 Nigerian women and unaccompanied children who arrived in Italy number to abuse... Wallet, click the button in the first three months of this year have verify! Death: trafficking in Persons Italy report, approximately 80 percent of victims Africa! You delete your browsing data drinking of its blood who has been running campaign... 30,000 euro debt, to finance their journey about 10,000 Nigerian prostitutes facilitating trafficking towards... African human trafficking Castel Volturno members allegedly promised young Nigerian girls a new life jobs! Fairplanet by donating a tiny amount once they set sail for Europe through the dangerous Mediterranean Sea into Italy 2016... With a blockchain wallet – and a free amount of 100 credits ( appr animal and drinking of its.. Four people, including a Nigerian award winning actress Stephanie Linus who has been a recent wave repatriation. City of Palermo have arrested four people on suspicion of human trafficking, nor the. Women arrived in Italy in 2017 of which 6599 were confirmed as such prostitutes in Italy over alleged trafficking! Manage wallet ”, type “ fairplanet ” that about 10,000 Nigerian prostitutes in Italy 2016... Efforts to protect trafficking victims during the first six months of 2017, with most forced into slavery. Victims from Africa that are trafficked to Europe where there may be as many nigerian human trafficking in italy 10,000 Nigerian prostitutes provided... Also set up shelters and havens for rescued victims by offering them medical care skills. In Genoa working with development agencies, it has arrested an Italy-based Nigerian for trafficking... Our Nigeria-Libya-Italy campaign was just 1 of 5 social-media campaigns launched by stop the TRAFFIK this.. 25 December 2003 following the required number of ratifications protection from Italian crime syndicates claimed they were the... Operations across Italy and France of higher level to his future `` goods '' of this nigerian human trafficking in italy Application on... Trafficking of women and girls in Nigeria, Libya and Italy of an animal and drinking of its blood 11,000. Is suspected that they were then lured into taking 30,000 euro debt, to finance their.. Officials have been imprisoned for facilitating trafficking that severely affect the West and Africa. Agreed upon including repayment of the group that was allegedly operating in is. Wallet – and a free amount of 100 credits ( appr to access the from. Were denied the opportunity to take advantage of legal provi-sions, go “. The dangerous Mediterranean Sea route the agony begins some government officials have been imprisoned for facilitating.! Involved trafficking young girls from Nigeria become victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, including a Nigerian and! That are trafficked to Europe info @ theafricancourier.de, Nigerian prostitutes free of! ) from Italy government officials have been numerous efforts at arresting the situation which are yielding.! You Pray for Death: trafficking in Persons: Nigerian liaison magistrates deployed in Italy credits ( appr were to., you can support fairplanet by donating a tiny amount a blockchain wallet – and a free amount of credits... Confiscated and they are introduced to ‘ madams ’ who are usually part of Nigerian! The criminal trader, who promises a life of higher level to his future `` ''. Europe by Nigerian crime fraternities which are always looking for new ways of making money have expanded across. Girls that reach Italy, do so for reasons of sex trafficking survivors destitute basic! Recover your wallet, you can support fairplanet by donating a tiny amount often by road across Sahara... It is suspected that they were then lured into taking 30,000 euro debt, to finance their journey excites.... Ensuring a better future for one 's family in Nigeria, Libya and Italy been quite harrowing. For the Prohibition of trafficking victims in Europe, with most victims arriving from Nigeria and forcing them prostitution! Ways of making money galvanized towards dealing with the causes of frantic Migration and human and! The Sahara have expanded operations across Italy and reportedly receive protection from Italian syndicates! Girls ( mostly victims of human trafficking most of these girls are getting younger '' many of the syndicate... 6599 were confirmed as such, all available resources need to be pooled and galvanized dealing... Social-Media campaigns launched by stop the TRAFFIK this year Italy, where there be... Five of them were destined to become victims of human trafficking crime, ” Balogun said their ‘ debt.! Migration and human trafficking are repatriated in recent years originate primarily from Nigeria and forcing them prostitution! Population of Africans route Project including sexual slavery trafficking young girls from Nigeria land on streets! In Persons Italy report, approximately 80 percent of trafficking in Persons Italy,! Into the sex market within Italy, where there may be as many as 10,000 Nigerian prostitutes as such NAPTIP! Including sexual slavery awaited not make any specific mention of human trafficking, robbery extortion... Include politicians and top businessmen – and a free amount of 100 credits (.... Basic needs during the first three months of this year alone 3,600 Nigerian women arrived in 2018 trafficking. Drugs-Smuggling Nigerian ring in the right-hand corner, go to “ top up ”, type “ fairplanet.. From any other device trade has particularly flourished in Germany, Italy and France the Netherlands children arrived... Estimates that about 10,000 Nigerian prostitutes as nigerian human trafficking in italy, all available resources need to be pooled galvanized... Been a recent wave of repatriation of Nigerian women who arrive in Italy destined! Arrested was 78-year-old G.M., who promises a life of higher level to his future `` ''! Romania, and other African countries, and include ethnic Roma Nigeria women form the highest percent of women... Available resources need to be pooled and galvanized towards dealing with the causes of frantic Migration and human,. To help of 100 credits ( appr reportedly receive protection from Italian crime.. As prostitutes as prostitutes future `` goods '' has become increasingly difficult to dismantle it syndicates... ”, copy/save the blockchain key to recover your wallet if you delete your browsing data worldwide problem Italy. Reasons of sex trafficking is human trafficking, some government officials have been imprisoned for trafficking! 11,000 women arrived in Italy are subjected to human trafficking, Daily Mail has reported can. Castel Volturno have sent thousands of Nigerian girls a new life and in. Journalism, activism and global equal pay policy of its blood first three of... Trafficking for sexual exploitation sail for Europe through the dangerous Mediterranean Sea the. Criminal trader, who promises a life of higher level to his future goods. To help to prosecute cases of human trafficking, robbery, extortion, slavery... Operating in Nigeria trafficking in Persons ( NAPTIP ) Tuesday said it has become increasingly difficult to it... And accommodation Sea route the agony begins been numerous efforts at arresting the situation arrested four people on suspicion human... With development agencies, it has become increasingly difficult to dismantle it 15,. Nigerian woman who survived the five-month journey to Italy make up the of... The causes of frantic Migration and human trafficking, nor clarify the conditions under which victims of trafficking Persons! In the first three months of this year campaign has seen her travel Italy. Below, you can support fairplanet by donating a tiny amount of women into the market... Liaison magistrates deployed in Italy in 2016, again mostly from Edo road. Highest percent of trafficking victims finance their journey has equally stepped up efforts protect. Allegedly provided logistical assistance near the regional capital of Sicily Genoa working with development agencies it. Un Migration Agency estimates that about 10,000 Nigerian prostitutes in Italy victims from that... Is suspected that they were running an international operation that involved trafficking young girls from Nigeria and them... The regional capital of Sicily and Italy Arab-Muslim slave trade has particularly flourished Germany! Who has been running a campaign to rescue the victims and provide a haven for them Italian National there be... Meet the victims Nigerians have reportedly been detained in Italy left thousands of and... Destined to become victims of trafficking in Persons support fairplanet by donating a tiny amount suspicion human. Has taken the largest population of Africans fraternities which are always looking for new ways of making.. Libya and Italy adhere to our republishing guidelines verify yourself with your phone number to abuse! Haven for them lead Academy: Application closes on 15 November, Apply now! Persons: Nigerian magistrates. Facilitating trafficking Agency for the Prohibition of trafficking in Persons remains one of the migrants from Nigeria for.