Theological Anthropology and Human Trafficking Responses: Analysing Church Interventions in Edo State

This study analyses church-based interventions against human trafficking in Edo State, South South Nigeria, the epicentre of Nigeria's human trafficking crisis, through the lens of theological anthropology. The doctrine of the imago Dei, which affirms the inherent dignity and inviolable worth of every human person, provides the theological basis for a rigorous anti-trafficking response, yet the extent to which this doctrine concretely informs church programming is an empirical question that this study addresses. Using a qualitative case study design, data are gathered from twenty interviews with church anti-trafficking programme leaders, fifteen interviews with survivors supported by church organisations, and document reviews of ten church programme frameworks across Benin City, Ovia North-East, and Esan North-East. The study evaluates programme design, survivor-centredness, theological framing, and collaboration with government and civil society. Findings indicate that church interventions guided by explicit theological anthropology frameworks demonstrate stronger survivor-centred design, longer-term reintegration support, and more effective advocacy compared to programmes motivated by general humanitarian concern without theological grounding. The study recommends the development of a theological anthropology-based anti-trafficking toolkit for churches in Edo State and calls for structured collaboration between denominational anti-trafficking desks and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons. Keywords: theological anthropology, human trafficking, imago Dei, Edo State, church intervention