Several Nigerians recently rescued from trafficking syndicates in Côte d’Ivoire have recounted how they were deceived with promises of lucrative employment, only to end up in captivity and forced into commercial sex work.
The survivors, identified as Monica, 17; Juliet, 18; Rejoice, 25; Joy, 22; and Monica Tamah, 38, said traffickers exploited their desperation for better economic opportunities before transporting them to the neighbouring West African country.
The victims were rescued in a joint operation involving the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, authorities in Côte d’Ivoire and the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation.
In a statement obtained by PUNCH Metro on Thursday, the founder of GAHTO, Prosper Michael, was quoted as saying that the operation followed months of exploitation and abuse suffered by the victims.
Recounting her ordeal, 17-year-old Monica from Benue State, said she accepted what she believed was a bakery job in Abuja before she was 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 explained that the victims were closely monitored and instructed to tell family members they were safe whenever they were allowed to make phone calls.
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 recalled.
According to her, she and another victim eventually escaped with the assistance of sympathetic residents, who helped them contact GAHTO.
