WOMEN TRAFFICKING

Women trafficking has long been a serious challenge in Benin City, where many vulnerable women were historically exploited through illegal trafficking networks for years. The city is known as a hotspot for women being trafficked under false promises 1. It would appear that the pain and suffering caused by trafficking deeply affected not just the women involved but also their families and the wider community. However, a complex dynamic emerged that while victims suffered immense physical and psychological harm, their families back home often appeared to benefit from the financial outcomes of their exploitation. This is evident in the remittances sent back to Benin City, which have contributed to the construction of new and modern buildings and other visible improvements in family welfare, creating a paradoxical situation where exploitation abroad fuels economic gains at home, as evident in the works of Ohonba & Agbontaen-Eghafona These remittances, while providing financial support, often mask the human cost of trafficking, complicating community perceptions and reintegration efforts for survivors.