Prostitutes Benin City
Police report a suspect ran a gay prostitution ring. This occurred on January 3, 2024.
Benin City as International Trafficking Hub
Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, acts as a significant hub for trafficking women to Europe. Many Nigerian women are lured with false promises of jobs or education. Most transit through Benin City before being forced into prostitution abroad, particularly in Italy. Traffickers often use threats, violence, and traditional “juju” curses to control victims.
Local Prostitution in Edo State
Local prostitution within Edo State is also prevalent. Areas like Ugbague Street, Ihama Road, and Country Home Road are known hotspots. Edo State women dominate this trade both locally and internationally. The Edo State government has launched operations like “Operation Kick Out Prostitution” to combat street sex work. Authorities have conducted raids, including one on Ihama Road, parading alleged sex workers and shutting down hangouts.
Driving Factors and Responses
Several factors drive this:
- Severe economic hardship pushes women into sex work.
- Traffickers exploit poverty with deceptive offers of work abroad.
- Cultural practices like “juju” oaths instill fear and compliance.
Studies (Omorodion 1993, Okonofua 2004) link the influx of West African prostitutes in Europe, especially from Edo State, to organized trafficking networks originating in Benin City. NGOs and agencies like NAPTIP work to rescue victims. They report rescuing underage girls from brothels and prosecuting traffickers, including cases where women trafficked their own sisters.
Efforts to address the crisis face challenges. These include deep-rooted poverty, powerful trafficking networks, and the stigma attached to returning victims. The scale remains significant, with reports suggesting many Nigerian women in European prostitution come from Edo State.
*TAGS* – juju curses control, Edo State hotspots, NAPTIP rescue operations
