| Nigeria is a country that dominates the West African | | | | to a high level of infrastructure development and |
| region due to its large population (125 million) and the | | | | communication in comparison with other African |
| importance of its mineral and oil resources (the sixth | | | | countries. This preference has affected South Africa |
| largest oil producer in the world). Political instability, | | | | itself, increasing criminal activities, particularly in areas |
| poverty and endemic corruption force many native | | | | like drug trafficking, prostitution, violence and fraud. |
| people to leave their places of origin to the European | | | | The presence of groups involved in drug trafficking |
| Union countries in search of a better life. The | | | | has contributed to increased imports of synthetic |
| permanent ethnic clashes in Nigeria often results in | | | | drugs. |
| hundreds of deaths. Coups occurring in Liberia, Sierra | | | | Extensive research from public sources has shown |
| Leone are signs of political instability that exists in | | | | that the preponderant role of the West African |
| West Africa. | | | | criminal networks of organized crime in South Africa |
| Despite poverty, education is very important in this | | | | is a serious threat to the European Union in particular. |
| region because it is recognized as a way to "improve" | | | | These organizations are present in almost all major |
| (a term widely used in Nigeria) and to create wealth, | | | | areas of crime carrying out activities such as drug |
| recognized as a determinant of social status. Although | | | | smuggling. These networks remain in a discreet |
| most people are very religious, their beliefs do not | | | | background in the field of transnational crimes like |
| conflict with the economic gains made by dubious | | | | drug trafficking, while collecting the profits with them, |
| ways, are often engaged in people prayers for the | | | | improve their operations and expand their activities. |
| success. | | | | The most common criminal actions in Africa are: |
| A widespread phenomenon in Nigeria is the existence | | | | Attacks on the population, destroying entire |
| of a trade based on child slavery, under which | | | | villages and leaving people in hopeless poverty. |
| Nigerian children are sent to bordering countries. | | | | Killing innocents with car bombs in cities. |
| According to reports from the Nigerian Association | | | | Kidnapping soldiers, police, politicians, civilians, |
| Women Trafficking and Child Labor Eradication | | | | children and the elderly people. |
| Foundation (WOTCLEF), Nigerian children are taken | | | | Destroying electricity equipment and |
| into slavery in Gabon. According to UNICEF, every | | | | communication systems. |
| year 200,000 children from the West and Central | | | | Destroying bridges on the roads and burning |
| Africa falls into the networks of child trafficking and | | | | vehicles. |
| child slavery. Some poor families sell their child for | | | | Exploiting oil, petrol and gas pipelines. |
| only 5 Euros. This is considered by them as part of | | | | Extortion to traders, farmers and citizens. |
| their culture.To combat this phenomenon is necessary | | | | They place minefields in highways, roads and |
| to carry out a permanent control and deterrence. | | | | sidewalks. |
| From the nineties, criminal networks have shown on | | | | They use drug trafficking as its major financial |
| the African continent the preference to choose | | | | support. |
| South Africa as a base for their criminal activity, due | | | | Compulsorily recruit of children. |