Nigerian survivors of human trafficking have shared painful accounts of how they were deceived with promises of employment and a better future before being forced into exploitation in Côte d’Ivoire.
The victims were rescued in a joint operation involving the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation (GAHTO) and relevant Ivorian authorities.
Also read: Edo State remains epicentre of sexual exploitation — NAPTIP warns
According to GAHTO founder Prosper Michael, the rescue operation was carried out as part of efforts to protect vulnerable Nigerians and disrupt human trafficking networks operating across West Africa.
One survivor, Monica, said she accepted what she believed was a genuine bakery job offer in Abuja before she was transported 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 explained that the victims were instructed to deceive their families by claiming they were safe, even while being forced to work under difficult conditions.
“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,” Monica said.
She added that she and another victim eventually escaped with assistance from local residents before contacting GAHTO.
Another survivor, Monica Tamah, said she travelled abroad hoping to support her family and pay for her daughter’s education but was instead 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.
Tamah alleged that victims were forced to serve multiple clients daily while traffickers collected most of the money generated from their exploitation.
“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 Côte d’Ivoire representative worked with local authorities to secure the victims’ release, adding that three additional victims from Benue State were rescued in a separate operation.
The organisation described the rescues as a significant step in its campaign against human trafficking and urged Nigerians to exercise caution when considering overseas employment opportunities.
GAHTO advised citizens to verify migration and job offers through official channels, report suspicious recruiters and support stronger cooperation between governments and security agencies to bring traffickers to justice.
Also read: Edo State remains epicentre of sexual exploitation — NAPTIP warns
Human trafficking remains a major concern across West Africa, with criminal networks often targeting people seeking employment, education or improved living conditions through deceptive promises.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
