No fewer than 4,877 victims of human trafficking from Nigeria have voluntarily returned to the country since 2017, a report by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has revealed.
The victims, repatriated under the IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme, highlight the persistent challenges posed by human trafficking and irregular migration.
The report disclosed that women and girls constituted nearly 88 per cent (4,261) of the returnees, while men accounted for 13 per cent (616).
This alarming gender disparity underscores the vulnerability of women and girls to traffickers, particularly those within the age bracket of 18 to 39 years.
The data indicates that individuals aged 18 to 25 are especially susceptible to recruitment.
The first quarter of 2024 alone saw the IOM facilitating the return of 167 victims to Nigeria, 81 per cent of whom were female.
This trend is not an anomaly; in 2022, female victims peaked at 908, while male victims were significantly fewer, reaching 166.
Economic instability emerged as the predominant driver of irregular migration, with a staggering 94 per cent of victims citing the search for better economic opportunities as their primary motivation.
Only two per cent sought specific job opportunities, one per cent aimed to escape adverse family situations, and three per cent had varied reasons including education, family reunification, and fleeing violence.
Italy, Libya, and Mali were identified as the top intended destinations for the victims, constituting nearly 60 per cent of all returns. Italy alone accounted for 26 per cent of the returnees.
Libya, however, stood out as the leading country of exploitation, responsible for 53 per cent of abuse cases, followed by Mali with 29 per cent.
Over the past two decades, Libya has become a critical destination and transit point for Nigerians attempting the perilous journey to Europe through the Mediterranean.
The country’s instability since the ousting of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in October 2011 has exacerbated the situation, with rising cases of alleged slave trade and extortion.
The IOM report highlighted that victims primarily face forced labour and sexual exploitation.
Traffickers employ diverse means of control, with physical and psychological abuses prominently reported.
Deception, threats, and withholding wages are common tactics used to trap and subjugate victims.
In a bid to address the aftermath of trafficking, the IOM has partnered with various governmental and non-governmental actors to provide reintegration support.
As a result, 3,122 (64 per cent) of the returnees have been successfully reintegrated into their communities.
They have received assistance ranging from medical care to vocational training aimed at fostering economic independence and resilience.
“The main source of stress for returnees, who often find themselves in a state of regret and limbo between their expectations and reality upon return, is the uncertainty about their future, source of income, and their place within the community,” the report stated.
The plight of these returnees underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to combat human trafficking and provide sustainable reintegration support.
Source: The Punch
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