A United States Department of State report has raised concerns over the treatment of women and girls who survived forced marriages to Boko Haram fighters, alleging that Nigerian authorities have, in some cases, returned victims to their husbands at demobilisation centres in Borno State.
The allegation was highlighted in the US State Department’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, which assessed Nigeria’s efforts to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable people.
According to the report, some women and girls subjected to forced marriage, including potential trafficking victims, have not received adequate screening and protection before being returned to the men who allegedly forced them into marriage.
The report also raised concerns about inadequate psychosocial support and the risk of survivors being exposed to further exploitation. It called attention to weaknesses in identifying trafficking victims among women and children associated with armed groups.
Boko Haram has abducted numerous women and girls in Nigeria’s North-East, subjecting some to forced marriage, sexual violence and other forms of exploitation.
The allegations raise questions about how authorities handle survivors who leave or are rescued from insurgent groups, particularly during rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
The report’s findings do not establish that President Bola Tinubu personally ordered the alleged returns. They instead highlight concerns about government practices and the need for stronger safeguards to protect survivors and prevent further victimisation.
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