Juju rituals are used by Nigerian trafficking networks, particularly those operating from Edo State and Benin City, to bind victims to their traffickers through fear of supernatural consequences for non-compliance or disclosure. Research confirms that juju rituals serve as a tool of enslavement but also provide a means of escape where the hold can be broken with appropriate cultural understanding.
Expert witnesses explain the role of juju in the specific trafficking context of the appellant's case, including debt bondage mechanisms, the relationship between traffickers and spiritual practitioners, and how juju control affects credibility assessments and reintegration planning. Reports address trafficking routes, the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) in the UK, and the parallel protection framework in Nigeria.
Returned trafficking victims face multiple risks in Nigeria: retaliation from trafficking networks, stigma and family rejection, and re-trafficking. State protection and reintegration support are often inadequate, particularly in high-trafficking areas such as Edo State. The updated Home Office CPIN on trafficking of women confirms inadequate state protection for victims.
How juju rituals function in Nigerian trafficking networks
- Traffickers recruit victims, often from Edo State and Benin City, with promises of work abroad.
- Victims are taken to a spiritual practitioner (juju priest) before departure.
- Blood, hair, or personal items are used in a binding ritual creating fear of supernatural harm if the victim escapes or reports traffickers.
- Debt bondage is layered on top of the ritual obligation, with inflated fees for travel and accommodation.
- Victims who disclose face perceived spiritual consequences, affecting credibility assessments in asylum interviews.
- Expert evidence explains cultural context, reintegration risk, and inadequate state protection for returned victims.
Related Case Types
Frequently Asked Questions
What is juju and how is it used in Nigerian trafficking?
Juju rituals are used by Nigerian trafficking networks, particularly those operating from Edo State, to bind victims to their traffickers through fear of supernatural consequences for non-compliance or disclosure. Research confirms that juju rituals serve as a tool of enslavement but also provide a means of escape where the hold can be broken. Expert witnesses explain the role of juju in the specific trafficking context of the appellant's case.
What is the risk for returned trafficking victims in Nigeria?
Returned trafficking victims face multiple risks in Nigeria: retaliation from trafficking networks, stigma and family rejection, and re-trafficking. State protection and reintegration support are often inadequate, particularly in high-trafficking areas. Expert witnesses assess the individual risk profile against current conditions and available support.