Follow Us on Google
…Raises alarm over passport seizure, labour exploitation in Egypt
Three women from Plateau State have recounted how they were allegedly deceived with fake job promises and trafficked to Mali for prostitution, in a case that has renewed concerns over rising human trafficking and labour exploitation involving vulnerable Nigerians.
The victims — Becky Ibrahim, Blessing Nanging and Miracle Yakubu — were recently rescued and returned to Nigeria through the intervention of the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organization (GAHTO).
Speaking in Lagos after their rescue, the women said they initially accepted offers of jobs in Lagos due to poverty and unemployment, only to discover they had been trafficked across borders into Mali.
Becky Ibrahim, a 35-year-old widow and mother of three, said she was approached in Jos by a man who promised to help her secure work in Lagos. Hoping to support her children and pay school fees, she agreed to travel.
However, according to her, the journey unexpectedly continued through Cotonou before ending in Mali, where she claimed they were forced into prostitution.
“We were beaten whenever we refused,” she alleged.
Another victim, Blessing Nanging, said she left Plateau State believing she had secured legitimate employment that would help her provide for her two children. She explained that the traffickers later revealed the supposed “shop work” was prostitution.
“They intimidated and punished anyone who refused,” she said.
Miracle Yakubu, 23, narrated how she allegedly suffered severe abuse after attempting to escape. According to her, she was attacked and stabbed with a bottle after planning to flee alongside another victim.
The women urged young Nigerians to be cautious of suspicious overseas job offers and avoid travelling with strangers promising employment opportunities abroad.
“Stay where you are and find something genuine to do. Don’t follow people because they promise you jobs abroad,” Becky warned.
Other News
The rescued women were received in Lagos by members of the BIROM Association community, who assisted in arrangements for their return to Plateau State.
Naomi Badu, Financial Secretary of the BIROM Association in community Lagos, said the group responded immediately after learning the victims had been brought back into Nigeria through Ghana.
“We always try to support our people whenever they are stranded, trafficked or in distress,” she said.
Human rights advocate and journalist Mrs. Jumai Madaki expressed concern over the increasing rate of trafficking and exploitation involving young Nigerian women, particularly from Plateau State.
According to her, poverty, insecurity, family instability and discrimination against girls have made many young women vulnerable to traffickers who lure them with false promises of jobs abroad.
She alleged that some victims are forced to sleep with multiple men daily and are often assaulted for refusing prostitution. Jumai Madaki also warned that some former victims later become recruiters for trafficking networks after returning home with money.
The advocate called for stronger community action, stricter anti-trafficking laws and increased support for the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Meanwhile, the President of the Global Anti Human Trafficking Organization(GAHTO), Comrade Prosper, also raised concerns over cases of labour exploitation involving Nigerians trafficked to Egypt.
According to him, some traffickers allegedly confiscate victims’ international passports upon arrival and force them into exploitative labour for up to two years without payment.
“We will submit the names of those involved to security agencies for investigation and possible arrest,” as slave trade is no longer acceptable, he said.
He further revealed that complaints had been received from members of the Yoruba community regarding sponsors and agents accused of seizing passports and subjecting Nigerians to harsh working conditions in Egypt, making many vulnerable.
GAHTO called on the Nigerian government, security agencies and international organisations to intensify efforts against trafficking syndicates operating across Africa and the Middle East.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing threat posed by human trafficking networks targeting vulnerable Nigerians with false promises of jobs and better opportunities abroad.
