The U.S. accused Nigeria of re-trafficking women and girls by returning them to Boko Haram “husbands” and traffickers, despite reported gains in anti-trafficking prosecutions.
The United States has accused the Nigerian government of re-trafficking women and girls by forcing them back to Boko Haram “husbands” and traffickers, despite claims of combating sexual exploitation. In its 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report released September 30, the U.S. State Department said Nigeria remained on the Tier 2 Watchlist for failing to adequately protect victims. “In some cases, authorities detained or returned victims to their Boko Haram husbands and traffickers,” the report stated.
While acknowledging progress under the Trafficking in Persons Law Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPLEAA)—with 744 investigations, 71 prosecutions, and 49 convictions in 2024—the report faulted authorities for treating rescued women as criminals. It also cited endemic corruption among law enforcement and judiciary officials, some implicated in trafficking crimes.
Although government funding for shelters rose to ₦128 million in 2025, capacity gaps forced victims into detention with their abusers. The U.S. urged Nigeria to strengthen screening, expand victim support, and prosecute complicit officials.