Seven young Nigerian girls trafficked to Mali, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire in a suspected human trafficking case have been rescued, the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation (GAHTO) has revealed.
The victims, from Plateau, Cross River and Edo States, were lured with fake job offers before being forced into prostitution abroad.
GAHTO said the rescue followed a coordinated intervention with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). The survivors narrated experiences of deception and coercion after recruiters promised them legitimate jobs abroad.
The victims said dozens of Nigerian girls are still trapped under similar conditions in Mali, Burkina Faso and other African countries. Recruiters allegedly promised them jobs in boutiques, restaurants, phone accessory shops, and domestic services. On arrival, they were forced into prostitution to repay debts of up to 1.5 million CFA francs.
“They said it was not prostitution” – Plateau victims speak:
Sandy Sophia, 22, from Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State, said a friend who claimed to work in Senegal had persuaded her. She asked repeatedly if it was sex work and was assured it was not. “It was only after we reached Burkina Faso that they finally admitted it was prostitution,” she said.
Rose, 19, a graduate of Plateau State Polytechnic, said she hoped to earn money for school and family. She was told she would sell in a boutique and cook. “When we arrived in Mali, we discovered it was prostitution,” she recounted. Her mother had been reluctant due to trafficking reports, but she was assured the job was genuine.
The victims said traffickers threatened them with spiritual consequences if they refused or failed to repay debts. They were told anyone who resisted would become mentally unstable.
Esther, 17, was recruited in Lagos with a promise of domestic work. She and others escaped with help from a Nigerian man in Mali. Another 17-year-old from Cross River said she and her sister were recruited by one “Peter” for his sister’s business abroad. On arrival, they were told to do sex work to repay transport costs.
Bless Inode Godwin, also from Cross River, said “Malik” promised jobs in his sister’s business in Mali. Instead, they were forced into prostitution in a bar and pressured to repay millions of CFA francs. Those who resisted faced starvation and threats.
Augusta, 20, from Owan, Edo State, said a relative convinced her family she would get a better life abroad. She travelled in February 2026. In Burkina Faso, she was forced into commercial sex work. When she refused, she was assaulted and pressured to recruit other girls, including her sister.
Despite generating income for her handlers, she was never given records of earnings or debts. She was told she owed 1.5 million CFA francs but not how much she had repaid. Augusta said she was pregnant before travelling and suffered severe hardship. Food and water had to be paid for, while threats kept victims in line.
Elizabeth accompanied Augusta after being promised legitimate work in Côte d’Ivoire. On arrival, no jobs existed and she was forced into prostitution. She surrendered most earnings to traffickers and received little support. Elizabeth was also pregnant and said she feared for her life after threats to keep working.
Both women said they were never told the true nature of the work before leaving Nigeria. They escaped with help from sympathisers and anti-trafficking advocates. Mr. Prosper from GAHTO facilitated their return to Nigeria.
“I am very happy to be back home,” one victim said, urging girls to verify travel offers before accepting them.
At the handover of rescued victims to Plateau community leaders, Julius Bodiacubb, president of the Birom Community Association in Lagos, expressed concern over rising trafficking cases and called for stronger action.
The Benin Zonal Command of NAPTIP requested GAHTO’s intervention. Two victims from Benin were received by NAPTIP officials on arrival in Nigeria.
GAHTO reiterated its commitment to combating trafficking and rescuing Nigerians trapped in exploitation networks. It urged young women to verify job offers and migration arrangements, and called on families to report suspicious recruitment.
This report is based on testimonies from rescued victims and information provided by GAHTO. Investigations into suspected traffickers are ongoing.
