Paris trial — voodoo-oath sex-trafficking network

Cited record

Sources

Moitozo, M. (2018) 'Nigerian victims face their human traffickers at Paris trial', France 24, 20 May. Available at: france24.com (Accessed: 14 July 2026). [archived copy]

'Sixteen members of a mostly female network of Nigerian human traffickers operating forced prostitution rings in France went on trial last week in Paris... Before leaving Nigeria the women were taken to voodoo priests, some of whom used body scarification in a ritual to 'seal' the women's contracts with their traffickers. Other women were told they were haunted by 'bad spirits' and must pay their traffickers upwards of €70,000 for protection. ... Earlier this year Oba Ewuare ll, the traditional ruler of Nigeria's kingdom of Benin – where 90 percent of Nigerian sex trafficking originates... formally cursed those priests who take part... During a ceremony that all priests in the region were required to attend, he declared all people trafficked in his jurisdiction to be released from their voodoo bonds and placed a new curse on any priests continuing the practice.'