The Bishop of Kumbo, George Nkuo has raised concerns over a growing human trafficking crisis pushing thousands of young Cameroonians into modern-day slavery in Nigeria.
In a pastoral letter for Lent 2026 titled “Return to Me with All Your Heart” (Joel 2:12), released on 18 February, the prelate explained how desperate youths—mainly from conflict-affected areas. Bishop says youths systematically lured across the border with deceptive promises of lucrative employment.
Bishop Nkuo stated that he could not remain silent in the face of such a grave situation. According to investigations conducted in collaboration with trusted partners, the Justice and Peace Commission of the diocese (technical partners) has confirmed that more than 3,000 Cameroonians are currently being held in at least nine camps across Nigeria.
“Many have been lured with false job offers,” the Bishop said. He notes that families are often forced to pay ransom for the release of their relatives. Some victims, he added, have been sold into modern-day slavery.
About 7,ooo Cameroonians Affected In Nigeria Trafficking
He stresses the crisis is closely linked to the ongoing insecurity in several parts of Cameroon. Further investigations, he said, indicate that more than 40 camps may exist in Nigeria, affecting over 7,000 Cameroonians.
“We continue to receive reports of young people enduring similar situations in apparently ‘safer’ towns in Cameroon. Ssome under the watch of supposed relatives and friends,” the Bishop noted.
“Our youth should be in classrooms and not in camps. They should be on farms and in industries, not in bondage. They should be in seminaries, workshops and families, not on exploitation expeditions,” he added.
Given the situation, The Post has learnt that Bishop Nkuo has reached out to government officials as well as MPs. The Post alerted them to the crisis affecting Cameroonian youth, particularly those from conflict-hit regions. He emphasised the need for greater cooperation between the governments of Cameroon and Nigeria in tackling human trafficking.
Majority Victims From Bui, Donga Mantung
Officials of the Justice and Peace Commission said a significant number of the victims originate from Bui and Donga Mantung Divisions. Others, they say come from the Southwest and West Regions. They indicated that many young people are forced into different forms of modern slavery, including domestic servitude. There is also forced labour in sectors such as granite mining, and commercial sex work.
Testimonies from victims reveal the level of deception used by traffickers, who promise what they describe as a “heaven on earth” lifestyle with plentiful job opportunities. However, upon arrival, many victims have their documents and mobile phones confiscated, leaving them trapped in exploitative conditions.
“These young people suffer because the promises made to them are entirely false. Once they arrive, they cannot return home because their documents are taken away. They can only make calls at designated times, while those monitoring them create a false sense of normalcy,” one victim explained.
Another victim said traffickers had shown falsified photographs of construction companies supposedly recruiting professional drivers. The victims discovered upon arrival that no such company existed and was instead subjected to forced labour and restricted movement.
Survivors narrates Ordeal After Rescue
Survivors recount harrowing experiences, including cases where some of their companions disappeared altogether, raising fears that they may have been subjected to ritual exploitation. Families, meanwhile, remain desperate for information about their missing loved ones.
Despite a law enacted in 2011 to combat human trafficking in Cameroon, experts say major loopholes remain. The current legal framework lacks sufficient protective measures and adequate rehabilitation mechanisms for victims. Critics argue that rescuing victims alone is not enough and that a comprehensive system for their long-term recovery is essential.
Additionally, the law places unnecessary burdens on proving that a child has been trafficked. This requirement that contradicts international standards prioritising child protection. Experts say this gap allows traffickers to operate with relative ease, sometimes using close relatives to facilitate the trafficking of young people.
Trafficking Operating In Major Cities
The Post has also learnt that organised trafficking networks operate in major cities. This has enabled victims to be moved across borders with little obstruction. Nigeria often serves as both a destination and transit hub. After passing through camps in Nigeria, many victims are reportedly trafficked further into West Africa, particularly to Benin and Ivory Coast, among other countries.
Families remain vigilant as Justice and Peace Commission of the diocese continues its efforts to address the situation. Also they are proactive in protecting their children from potential traffickers. Observers say greater community awareness and stronger government intervention are essential in reducing the risks associated with seeking opportunities abroad.
Months ago, a viral video showed young people, particularly from the conflict-affected Northwest and Southwest Regions—living in distress in a trafficking camp in Nigeria.
Statistics
According to the U.S. State Department’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report, Cameroonian authorities investigated 146 trafficking cases last year. Some include 47 related to sex trafficking and 92 involving labour trafficking.
A joint operation with Nigerian law enforcement led to the arrest of at least 20 suspected traffickers. The identification of about 100 potential victims in Nigeria, highlighting both the importance of cross-border collaboration and the challenges involved in dismantling trafficking networks.
On the Nigerian side, officials identified 1,194 trafficking victims in 2024. They include 654 exploited in sex trafficking and 540 in forced labour, according to the same report.
By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo