Police Rescue 21-Year-Old Nigerian Woman Sold For ₦770,000 In Mali

A 21-year-old Nigerian woman who was lured abroad with promises of lucrative employment, sold for about ₦770,000 and forced into prostitution in Mali has been rescued by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS).

The victim, identified as Godiya Amos (not her real name), from Akwanga, Nasarawa State, was reportedly trafficked through illegal border routes in September before being taken to artisanal gold-mining camps in Mali, where women were allegedly subjected to sexual exploitation.

Her ordeal reportedly began when one of the suspected traffickers, Orgba Solomon, allegedly persuaded her to travel abroad with promises of a better employment opportunity.

However, instead of the promised job, she was allegedly handed over to members of an international trafficking network and sold for CFA 420,000, equivalent to approximately ₦770,000.

According to the police, Solomon confiscated her mobile phone and travel documents before transporting her through Lagos and the Republic of Benin to Mali, effectively cutting her off from her family.

When she reportedly refused to engage in prostitution, she was subjected to severe beatings and allegedly forced to take a blood oath at a shrine before being compelled into sexual exploitation.

Her ordeal came to light following a report by her sister, prompting an intelligence-led investigation by operatives of the FID-STS.

The operation, conducted between October 1 and 27, led to the arrest of three suspected members of the trafficking network and the eventual rescue of the victim from Mali.

The suspects were identified as Daniel Aondofa, 26; Solomon, 28, described by the police as the gang leader resident in the Republic of Benin; and Thankgod Ocho, 25. All three are indigenes of Benue State.

Police said Solomon returned to Nigeria on October 18 to recruit more young women for trafficking to Senegal and Mali, providing an opportunity for operatives to track the network.

During the operation, three other female victims, identified as Martha Godiya, Amina Usman and Hadisa Yahaya, were also rescued and reunited with their families.

The most disturbing revelation, however, came from Godiya, who reportedly told investigators that about 42 other Nigerian women were still being held in a makeshift camp within a remote gold-mining settlement in Mali.

She alleged that the women were subjected to forced prostitution and slave-like conditions, with their movements restricted and escape made extremely difficult.

The disclosure has raised concerns about the scale of the trafficking operation and the fate of dozens of Nigerian women who may still be trapped in the remote settlement.

The arrests and rescue were announced by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Godfrey Ogbiede Victor, during a press briefing in Abuja.

He said the suspects had confessed to their involvement in the criminal enterprise and provided information that assisted in locating and rescuing the 21-year-old victim.

Victor said investigations were continuing, while efforts were being intensified to apprehend other members of the trafficking network and facilitate the rescue of additional victims.

He said the operation was part of efforts by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to strengthen the protection of lives and property, particularly vulnerable persons.

The police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.