See Nigerian prostitutes in Europe and how life has become a living hell after being tricked into joining the sex trade

Nigerian women are being trafficked to Italy under the pretence that they will be working as nannies or in factories – but often end up working the streets as prostitutes.

A Nigerian cultural mediator offers condoms and psychological support to some of the younger prostitutes working close to Acerra

Perlino reveals that many Nigerian women come to Italy hoping to make enough money from honest work as nannies or factory workers to support their families back home, but are tricked by traffickers into working in the sex trade.

(A Nigerian in Italy waits for a client in the countryside during the winter season)

Eighty per cent of women trafficked to Italy come from Benin City, Edo State, in south Nigeria.

‘This involves many cities including Turin, Milan, Genoa, Rome, Naples and Palermo and thousands of Nigerian and Italian people.’

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime declared Nigeria among the top eight countries with the highest human trafficking rates in the world.

Traffickers demand on average more than 50,000 euros (US $60,000) for travel expenses and accommodation, with the women having to work as prostitutes until their debts are paid off.