Survivors of human trafficking have recounted how they were lured from Nigeria with promises of jobs and a better life in Côte d’Ivoire, only to end up in forced labour, prostitution and sexual exploitation.
The rescued victims include Monica, 17; Juliet, 18; Rejoice, 25; Joy, 22; and Monica, 38, who said traffickers exploited their desire for a better future with false promises of employment.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the founder of the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation, Prosper Michael, the victims were rescued in a joint operation involving the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and relevant authorities in Côte d’Ivoire.
Recounting her ordeal, Monica said she accepted a bakery job offer in Abuja before being taken through Lagos to Côte d’Ivoire.
“I informed my parents because I believed the offer was genuine. We later realised there were no jobs after we were locked in a room,” she said.
She added that the victims were instructed to tell anyone who contacted them that they were safe despite being forced to work.
“When I spoke to my mother, I started crying, and they immediately collected the phone from me. They kept deducting money from the little we earned without explaining why,” she said, adding that she and another victim eventually escaped with the help of local residents and contacted GAHTO.
Another survivor, Monica Tamah, said she travelled abroad hoping to provide for her family and fund her daughter’s education, only to be forced into prostitution.
“When we got there, we discovered there were no jobs. Instead, we were told we had been brought for prostitution and had to repay transportation debts through sex work,” she said, adding that she remained in captivity for about six months before she was rescued.
Monica claimed that she and other victims were forced to sleep with as many as 15 men daily.
“They made about 50,000 CFA francs every day from us, but we received little or nothing. I remained there for about six months before I was rescued,” she said.
GAHTO said its representative in Côte d’Ivoire carried out the rescue with support from local authorities and disclosed that three other victims from Benue State were rescued in a separate operation.
The organisation described the operations as a major breakthrough in its campaign against human trafficking and the protection of vulnerable Nigerians across West Africa.
“We urge Nigerians to verify overseas employment and migration offers through appropriate government channels, remain vigilant against suspicious recruiters and promptly report suspected trafficking cases to law enforcement agencies.
“We also call for stronger collaboration among governments, security agencies and international partners to dismantle trafficking networks, rescue victims and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice,” the statement added.
