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Sex Traffickers Make $27,252 Per Victim As Illegal Profits Hit $235bn Yearly

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The International Labour Organization has disclosed that sex traffickers make $27,252 per victim as forced labour in the private economy generates $236 billion in illegal profits annually.

This was disclosed in a new report on its website titled, ‘Profits and Poverty: The economics of forced labour’, from Geneva.

As seen by AMBusiness, ILO revealed in its report that forced commercial sexual exploitation accounts for more than two-thirds (73 per cent) of the total illegal profits.

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ILO added that the “total amount of illegal profits from forced labour has risen by $64 billion (37%) since 2014, a significant, attributed to a growth in the number of people forced into labour, as well as higher profits generated from the exploitation of victims.”

According to the report, from $8,269 a decade earlier, traffickers and criminals generate approximately $10,000 in revenue for each victim.

The highest illegal profits are in Europe and the lowest in the Arab countries.

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“Europe and Central Asia account for the largest annual illegal profits from the forced labour of $84 billion, followed by Asia and the Pacific $62 billion, Americas $52 billion, Africa $20 billion, and Arab countries $18 billion,” the statement read.

When illegal profits are expressed per victim, annual illegal profits are highest in Europe and Central Asia, followed by the Arab States, the Americas, Africa and Asia, and the Pacific.

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“Forced commercial sexual exploitation accounts for more than two-thirds (73%) of the total illegal profits, despite accounting for only 27% of the total number of victims in privately imposed labour.

“Forced commercial sexual exploitation generates $27,252 profits per victim as against $3,687 profits per victim for other forms of non-state forced labour exploitation.

READ ALSO: Rivers Teenager Arrested For Alleged Defilement Of 11-year-old Schoolmate

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“Forced commercial sexual exploitation, is followed by illegal profits from industry, at $35 billion, followed by services ($20.8 billion), agriculture ($5 billion), and domestic work at $2.6 billion,” the statement continued.

These illicit profits are the wages that should rightfully belong to workers but which, as a result of their coercive practices, remain in the possession of those who exploit them.

The Director-General of ILO, Gilbert F. Houngbo said, “Forced labour perpetuates cycles of poverty and exploitation and strikes at the heart of human dignity. We now know that the situation has only got worse. The international community must urgently come together to take action to end this injustice.”

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Houngbo stated, “People in forced labour are subject to multiple forms of coercion, the deliberate and systematic withholding of wages being amongst the most common.

“Forced labour perpetuates cycles of poverty and exploitation and strikes at the heart of human dignity. We now know that the situation has only got worse.

READ ALSO: How Soldiers Were Ambushed, Killed In Delta Community, Ex-General Speaks

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“The international community must urgently come together to take action to end this injustice, safeguard workers’ rights, and uphold the principles of fairness and equality for all.”

The report stresses the urgent need to invest in enforcement measures to stem the flow of illegal profits and to hold perpetrators accountable.

The Commission recommends strengthening the legal framework, providing training for enforcement officials to extend labour inspections to high-risk sectors, and better coordination between labour and criminal law enforcement.

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Unfortunately, forced labour cannot be eradicated through law enforcement measures alone, enforcement actions must be part of a comprehensive approach that prioritizes tackling the root causes and safeguarding victims, the report underlined.

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JUST IN: Court Declares Utomi’s ‘Shadow Govt’ Unconstitutional

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Pat Utomi, a professor of political economy, and his associates to halt their plan to establish a shadow government.

In a judgment delivered on Monday in a case filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), the judge, Justice James Omotosho, declared that the idea of a shadow government or cabinet is unconstitutional and incompatible with the nation’s presidential system of government.

The judge held that the idea was inconsistent with the country’s presidential system and could mislead citizens.

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READ ALSO:DSS Sues Pat Utomi Over Shadow Government

He ruled that Nigeria’s constitution does not recognise any parallel or alternative government outside the one it provides for.

Section 14(2)(c) makes no allowance for a shadow government. The defendant cannot use foreign constitutional models to confuse the people. Such a shadow government is hereby declared void,” the judge ruled.

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JUST IN: ASUU Issues Ultimatum To FG Over Unresolved Issues

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The union made the decision following a National Executive Council meeting held on Sunday at the University of Abuja.

The national president of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna made this known in a copy of strike action he personally signed and made available to our correspondent in Abuja.

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At the National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on the 28th of September, 2025, the Union decried the neglect of the University system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands.

READ ALSO:ASUU Threatens To Due JAMB Over UTME Mass Failure

“Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an Ultimatum of fourteen (14) days within which to address these issues. If at the end of the fourteen-day ultimatum, the Federal Government fails to address these issues, the Union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike.”

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Recall that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education set up a committee headed by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Abel Enitan to look into a proposal for ASUU in a bid to ensure stability across universities.

At the time of filing this report, the committee has yet to make any decision known to the public.

ASUU’s core demands remain largely unchanged: renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, adequate revitalisation funds for univer­sities, settlement of outstanding salary arrears, and sustainable funding mechanisms.

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JUST IN: NNPC, NUPRC, NMDPRA Shut As PENGASSAN Begins Strike

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The nationwide strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria on Monday paralysed operations at key oil and gas regulatory institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

The industrial action, which followed the weekend directive by the union’s National Executive Council, saw members across the country withdrawing their services, effectively shutting down critical agencies that drive Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

It was observed that at the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate was firmly locked, leaving several employees stranded outside the premises. Security operatives on duty confirmed that no staff were allowed entry, in line with the strike directive issued by the union.

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Similarly, activities at the NMDPRA headquarters in the busy Central Business District were completely grounded as workers fully complied with the industrial action.

READ ALSO:Dangote Hits Out At PENGASSAN, Says Union ‘Serial Saboteurs, Serving Oligarchs’

Confirming the situation, the PENGASSAN Chairman in NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, told The PUNCH that the union had achieved “100 per cent compliance,” effectively restricting access to staff and visitors.

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He added that his colleagues had also enforced 100 per cent compliance at the NNPCL and other relevant agencies.

PENGASSAN said the strike became inevitable after the alleged wrongful dismissal of about 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The union’s directive to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has sent shockwaves through the energy sector, with oil marketers warning of severe disruptions in fuel distribution. This move is expected to choke the domestic market, driving up demand and prices.

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READ ALSO:JUST IN: PENGASSAN Strike May Trigger Nationwide Blackout, Thermal Plants Shut Down

On Sunday, PENGASSAN announced a nationwide strike, instructing all its members in various offices, companies, institutions, and agencies to cease all services starting at 12:01 am on Monday, September 29, 2025.

The union also directed members stationed in various field locations to down tools from 6:00 am on Sunday, September 28, and commence a round-the-clock prayer vigil.

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In a strongly worded resolution signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation conventions by sacking workers for joining the union. It alleged the dismissed workers had been replaced by foreigners.

READ ALSO:PENGASSAN Reacts As Dangote Refinery Misses Production Deadline

All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately,” the resolution declared. “All IOC (International Oil Companies) branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.”

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The development has heightened fears of fuel scarcity and blackouts, as NNPC remains the sole importer of petrol while the midstream and downstream authority regulates supply and distribution. Similarly, NUPRC is responsible for monitoring crude production and enforcing gas supply obligations to power plants.

All eyes are now on Monday’s emergency meeting convened by the Minister of Labour. Whether dialogue can restore calm or whether Nigeria plunges deeper into crisis may depend on the willingness of both sides to compromise.

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