U.S. State Department

United States says some women and children rescued from Boko Haram were returned to abusers, citing systemic corruption and weak protections in Nigeria.

Nigeria is facing intensified scrutiny from the United States over its handling of human trafficking, with a recent U.S. State Department report accusing federal and state authorities of returning victims to their captors, including Boko Haram fighters.

The 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report paints a troubling picture of Nigeria’s response to modern slavery. While the country maintains a Tier 2 ranking — indicating some progress — the assessment highlights persistent gaps in meeting minimum international standards …