Nigeria

Nigeria is the biggest hub of human trafficking in Africa, and possibly the world, which feeds the slave market in Libya, according to a CNN report. A Global Christian News investigation has shown that some ‘churches’, in some parts of Edo State, Southern Nigeria, have played a part in the human trafficking with ‘men of God’ charging money for prayers for the vulnerable and desperate young men and women who are paying about £1000 to be taken out to Europe, particularly Italy, in the hope for a better life.

“You would expect that those in north-eastern Nigeria, where Boko Haram is devastating communities and Fulani Cattle herdsmen are sacking villages in a murderous campaign, is where many young men and women will be fleeing to Europe but it is from the south where there is relative affluence that people are going through harrowing experiences to ‘make it’ in Europe,” said the Rev Ejike Nathaniel, a pastor who had left the “desperate life to make quick money’ in an interview with Global Christian News.

“Many so called prayer houses have popped up, praying specifically for those leaving for Europe, so that God will enable them ‘cross-over’ the sea to Italy,” he added.

Thousands of migrants have died yet many are still trying to cross over in dinghies and all sorts of boats from Libya to Italy.