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The United States Department of State accused the Nigerian government of returning a saved female victim who was abducted and married by Boko Haram terrorists and human traders with their terrorist husbands.
In the 2025 report on trafficking in people published on its website on Wednesday, the US agent stated that the Authority of Nigeria and the Borno state government returned the victims who were saved to their husbands after they repented from the rebellion and surrender themselves to rehabilitation.
The report also stated that the Nigerian government did not meet the minimum standards in several major fields in its struggle against trafficking in persons, which means that the country remains in the classification of tier 2.
“Efforts to identify and protect victims of human trafficking among vulnerable populations, especially women and children who are allegedly related to non-state armed groups, refugees, and children who are exploited in begging and domestic work, are inadequate,” the agency said.
According to the report due to inadequate screening efforts, the Nigerian government and the Borno state government did not take effective steps to prevent re-registration or inappropriate punishment from prospective victims solely because of the act of violating the law carried out as a direct result of traded, including among women and girls allegedly related to Boko Haram.
“In some cases, the authorities arrested or return the victims to their husbands and traders Boko Haram.
“Corruption and official involvement in the crime of human trafficking, including among the officials appointed with the responsibility to combat human trafficking, remain a significant concern, hampering law enforcement and perpetuating impunity for the crime of human trafficking.
“Endemic judicial corruption hampered the prosecution and belief of most crime, including human trafficking.
“The high court has a jurisdiction for trade cases; However, in practice, cases are sometimes tried in state courts, who heard lower level crime or minor violations.
“Local judges do not have the same standard training requirements as federal and state judges, which contribute to corruption and errors in the application of law.
“Illegal activities of non-state armed groups hamper law enforcement efforts, especially in Northern Nigeria,” the report said.
The report also revealed that corruption involving crimes of human trafficking, including among law enforcement and judicial officials, remains a significant concern and contributes to impunity to human smugglers in Nigeria.
According to the report, during the year being reviewed, the observer reported that several security officers experienced sexual harassment and were exploited internally by refugees (IDP), including children, inside and around Maiduguri, the capital of the state of Borno.
