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By Christopher Oji
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation (GAHTO) have rescued seven Nigerian girls allegedly trafficked to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire under the false promise of legitimate employment.
The victims were rescued following a coordinated intervention involving NAPTIP and relevant authorities in Plateau, Cross River, and Edo states. The survivors narrated harrowing experiences of deception, exploitation, and coercion after being lured abroad with promises of jobs in boutiques, restaurants, phone accessory shops, domestic service, and other businesses.
According to them, upon arrival in the destination countries, they discovered they had been trafficked into prostitution rings and were expected to engage in commercial sex work to repay debts of up to 1.5 million CFA francs. One of the survivors, Sandy Sophia, 22, from Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, said she was persuaded by a friend who claimed to be working in Senegal.
“I asked countless times if it was prostitution, and they kept telling me it was not. It was only after we reached Burkina Faso that they finally admitted it was prostitution,” she said.
Another victim, Rose, 19, a graduate of Plateau State Polytechnic, said she hoped to earn money to support her education and family.
“I was told I would be working in a boutique and helping with cooking. My mother was initially reluctant because of stories about trafficking, but we were assured it was genuine work. When we arrived in Mali, we discovered it was prostitution,” she said.
The survivors alleged that whenever they protested or demanded to return home, they were threatened with spiritual consequences and warned that anyone who failed to comply or repay their debt would become mentally unstable.
Esther, 17, one of the youngest survivors, said she was recruited in Lagos after being promised a domestic service job. She said she eventually escaped with the assistance of a Nigerian man from her community who lived and worked in Mali.
Another 17-year-old survivor from Cross River State said she and her sister were recruited by a man identified as Peter, who promised them jobs in his sister’s businesses abroad. Upon arrival, they were allegedly informed that they would have to engage in prostitution to repay transportation and migration expenses.
Blessing Inode Godwin from Cross River State said she and several others were recruited by a man identified as Malik, who promised employment in Mali. However, they were allegedly forced into prostitution in a bar upon arrival.
The survivors said they were informed that they owed millions of CFA francs and were pressured into sex work to repay the debt. Those who resisted were reportedly subjected to starvation, threats, and other forms of coercion.
During the handover of some of the rescued victims to community leaders from Plateau State, President of the Birom Community Association in Lagos, Julius Bodiacubb, expressed concern over the growing incidence of human trafficking and called for stronger efforts to combat the crime.
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Two Edo State victims, Augusta and Elizabeth, also recounted their experiences of trafficking and forced prostitution in Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.
Augusta, 20, from Owan in Edo State, said she was convinced by a relative that she would secure a better life abroad. She travelled in February 2026, unaware of the true nature of the work awaiting her.
According to her, she discovered on arrival in Burkina Faso that she was expected to engage in commercial sex work. When she refused, she was physically assaulted and pressured to recruit other girls, including her sister.
She said she was told she owed about 1.5 million CFA francs but was never given proper records of her earnings or debts.
Augusta further disclosed that she was pregnant before travelling and endured severe hardship abroad, where even food and water had to be paid for.
Similarly, Elizabeth said she travelled after being promised legitimate employment opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire. However, she discovered that the promised jobs did not exist and that she was also being forced into prostitution.
She described the conditions as harsh and exploitative, saying she was compelled to surrender most of her earnings to traffickers while receiving little support.
Elizabeth, who was also pregnant at the time, said she feared for her life after being threatened and pressured to continue working despite her condition.
Both women said they were never informed of the true nature of the work before leaving Nigeria.
With the assistance of sympathisers and anti-trafficking advocates, several victims eventually escaped and were rescued. GAHTO’s Prosper facilitated their return to Nigeria.
Expressing relief at being reunited with their families, the victims urged young women to be cautious of offers of lucrative jobs abroad.
“I am very happy to be back home,” one of the survivors said. “I will advise other girls never to accept suspicious travel offers without proper verification.”
The survivors appealed to government authorities, law enforcement agencies, and anti-human trafficking organisations to intensify efforts against traffickers who continue to lure unsuspecting Nigerians abroad with false promises of employment.
The rescue operation was facilitated by GAHTO following a request from the NAPTIP Benin Zonal Command. The rescued Edo victims were officially received by NAPTIP officials upon arrival in Nigeria.
GAHTO reiterated its commitment to combating human trafficking and rescuing vulnerable Nigerians trapped in exploitation networks across Africa and beyond.
The organisation urged members of the public, particularly young women seeking opportunities abroad, to thoroughly verify job offers and migration arrangements before travelling and to report suspicious recruitment activities to relevant authorities.
Investigations into the activities of the suspected traffickers are ongoing.
Note: The headline of the first story should read “Oyo School Abduction” only if the incident occurred in Oyo State. The body of the story repeatedly refers to Osun State, so please verify the correct state before publication
