Nigeria: A prostitution ring known as Italo Mama

Specific reference to a prostitution ring known as Italo Mama could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

However, references to European prostitution rings involving Nigerian women were found among the sources consulted (The News 28 Mar. 2001; Country Reports 1999 23 Feb. 2000, Sec. 1f;AANA 5 June 2000; The Daily Trust 15 July 2002). In addition, reports of forced prostitution involving Nigerian women with links to Italy were found among the sources consulted (Abuja Mirror 29 Dec. 1999 - 4 Jan. 2000; Country Reports 1999 23 Feb. 2000, Sec. 1f; The News 28 Mar. 2001; AANA 5 June 2000).

The All Africa News Agency (AANA) reported that Nigeria leads all African countries in the number of women who are shipped abroad for prostitution (5 June 2000). Citing the local weekly The News, AANA reported the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Giovanni Germano, as saying that 60 per cent of all sex workers in Italy are Nigerian and that 90 per cent of those repatriated or intercepted come from Edo State (AANA 5 June 2000). The Daily Trust, relying on information provided by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), says that about 80 per cent of girls engaged in prostitution in Italy are from Nigeria (15 July 2002).

In Benin City, the capital of Edo State, the women who return from Italy having worked as prostitutes are popularly referred to as Italos (ibid.). According to Bisi Olateru-Olagbegi of the Women's Consortium of Nigeria (WOCOM), a non-governmental organization, these women "have houses and flashy cars to show for their sojourns in Europe and are often glamourised by the poor folk" (ibid.).

Olateru-Olagbegi noted, however, that while prostituting overseas, the women are subjected to bondage and abuse, and their "'sponsors usually make them undertake secret oaths or lawyers are brought in to make agreements'" before they can start earning their freedom (ibid.).

Although Edo State reportedly accounts for the majority of the women who become prostitutes, police figures show that the deportees returning to Nigeria come from 14 out of Nigeria's 36 states (ibid.).

For additional information on the trafficking of Nigerian women and girls, please consult NGA40278.E of 20 January 2003.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Abuja Mirror. 29 December 1999 - 4 January 2000. "Growing Evil of Prostitution." [Accessed 15 May 2003]

All Africa News Agency (AANA). 5 June 2000. "Nigeria: Nigerian Authorities Worry Over Prostitution Rings." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1999. 23 February 2000. United States Department of State. Washtington, DC. [Accessed 15 May 2003]

The Daily Trust [Abuja]. 15 July 2002. "Combating the Human Trafficking Scourge." [Accessed 15 May 2003]

The News [Lagos]. 28 March 2001. Temitope Ogunjinmi. "Girls for Sale." (allAfrica.com 2 Apr. 2001). [Accessed 15 May 2003]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases

NEXIS

Unsuccessful attempts to contact the Women's Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON)

Women's International Network News (WIN)

Internet sites, including:

AllAfrica.com

Business Day News [Lagos]

Daily Champion

United Nations Fund for Population and Development

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Vanguard

Women's Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON)

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