Survivors of Human trafficking survivors have recounted how false promises of employment in Côte d’Ivoire led them into forced labour, prostitution and sexual exploitation before they were rescued through a joint operation involving Nigerian and Ivorian authorities. The victims, rescued with the support of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and authorities in Côte d’Ivoire, described months of exploitation after leaving Nigeria in search of better opportunities.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the founder of the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation (GAHTO), Prosper Michael, the rescue operation was carried out in collaboration with NAPTIP and relevant authorities in Côte d’Ivoire. The victims identified include Monica, 17; Juliet, 18; Rejoice, 25; Joy, 22; and Monica, 38, who said traffickers exploited their hopes for employment and a better future.
One of the survivors, Monica, said she accepted what she believed was a bakery job offer in Abuja before travelling through Lagos to Côte d’Ivoire. She said, “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 added that the victims were instructed to assure relatives they were safe whenever they received phone calls.
Describing her experience further, she said, “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.” According to her, she and another victim later escaped with assistance from local residents before contacting GAHTO for help.
Another rescued victim, Monica Tamah, said she travelled abroad intending to support her family and finance her daughter’s education but was instead forced into prostitution. She stated, “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 also alleged that she remained in captivity for about six months and that she and other victims were compelled to sleep with as many as 15 men daily. According to her, “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.”
GAHTO said its representative in Côte d’Ivoire conducted 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 missions as a significant step in combating human trafficking across West Africa.
The organisation urged Nigerians to verify overseas employment and migration offers through appropriate government channels and remain vigilant against suspicious recruiters. It also called for stronger cooperation among governments, security agencies and international partners to dismantle trafficking networks, rescue victims and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice, as efforts continue to address the growing threat of human trafficking in the region.
