The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) announced the rescue of five young women from Benue State who had been trafficked to Cote D’Ivoire with the intention of using them as prostitutes on Tuesday, marking a significant development. The disturbing story has brought attention to the persistent problem of human trafficking both inside and outside of Nigeria.
The rescue operation culminated at the Nigerian Embassy in Cote D’Ivoire, where the young women are currently being sheltered. NAPTIP’s Makurdi Zonal Commander, Mrs. Gloria Bai, disclosed these details, noting the agency’s active role in ensuring the safety and eventual repatriation of the victims back to Nigeria.
The plight of these young women, aged between 18 and 21 years, came to light through a video that went viral on social media. In the video, the victims were seen speaking Tiv, a local language, and providing their names and ages. They revealed they had been sold into prostitution by a woman from Jato Aka in the Kwande Local Government Area of Benue state.
Reacting to the crisis, the state coordinator of NAPTIP, who addressed journalists in Makurdi, stated that the agency was alerted to the situation on Monday, with immediate steps taken to communicate with and secure the victims. “We have seen the girls and the video. The girls are there in Cote D’Ivoire. For now, there are five of them, and we spoke to them yesterday. They are safe at the Nigerian Embassy in Cote D’Ivoire,” she assured.
She further added, “As of this morning, arrangements are being made for them to be brought back to the country, and we are monitoring the situation to ensure that they are brought back safely and handed over to us.” The investigation into this harrowing incident has already led to significant developments, including the arrest of the woman accused by the victims as their trafficker. Mrs. Bai confirmed that the suspect was apprehended by the police in Kwande LGA and is currently under investigation to ascertain her full involvement in the trafficking operation.
This rescue comes just a month after a similar situation in June 2024, where ten Nigerian girls were saved from human traffickers in Ghana. These victims, originating from Imo and Plateau States, were also provided safe custody and care by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission following the arrest of the trafficking suspect.
The recurrence of such trafficking incidents underscores the persistent challenge faced by Nigerian authorities in combating human trafficking. NAPTIP’s efforts in these cases reflect a commitment to addressing these human rights abuses head-on. Through collaboration with local law enforcement and international bodies, the agency continues to work on preventive measures and to provide necessary support to trafficking victims. The ongoing situation has prompted a call for more stringent measures and international cooperation to prevent future occurrences and protect vulnerable populations from human trafficking networks.
