The Nigeria Police Force has rescued a 21-year-old Nigerian woman trafficked to Mali for forced prostitution and arrested three suspected members of an international human trafficking syndicate operating across Nigeria, the Republic of Benin and Mali.
The victim, identified as Godiya Amos (not her real name), was reportedly lured from Akwanga, Nasarawa State, with promises of lucrative employment abroad before being trafficked through Lagos and illegal border routes into the Republic of Benin and subsequently to Mali.
The Commander of the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Victor Godfrey, disclosed this on Tuesday, during the parade of suspects in Abuja.
According to him, the victim was allegedly sold to members of the trafficking network for CFA 420,000, equivalent to approximately N770,000, after her mobile phone and travel documents were confiscated to prevent her from communicating with her family.
Godfrey said investigations revealed that the victim was taken to artisanal gold-mining camps in Mali, where female victims were allegedly subjected to forced prostitution.
He stated that her refusal to engage in prostitution attracted severe beatings, while she was allegedly forced to take a blood oath at a shrine before being sexually exploited.
The police commander said operatives launched an intelligence-led investigation following a report by the victim’s sister.
He said that between October 1 and 27, 2026, operatives arrested three suspects identified as Daniel Aondofa, 26; Orgba Solomon, 28, also known as Terry, who allegedly led the trafficking network and resides in the Republic of Benin; and Thankgod Ocho, 25. All three suspects are indigenes of Benue State.
According to Godfrey, Solomon returned to Nigeria on October 18 to recruit more women for trafficking to Senegal and Mali, prompting operatives to intensify their investigation.
During the operation, three other female victims, identified as Martha Godiya, Amina Usman and Hadisa Yahaya, were rescued and reunited with their families.
He said further digital intelligence led to the arrest of Solomon and his alleged accomplices, whose statements and information assisted the police in securing the rescue of Godiya Amos from Mali.
The rescued victim reportedly disclosed that about 42 Nigerian women were still being held in a makeshift camp within a remote gold-mining settlement in Mali, where they were allegedly subjected to forced prostitution and slave-like conditions.
She further alleged that the women had restricted movements and faced serious difficulties escaping from the camp.
The police commander said investigations were ongoing to apprehend other members of the trafficking network and rescue the remaining victims.
He said that the STS would collaborate with relevant agencies in Nigeria and the other countries involved.
Sustained Crackdown
The FID-STS commander said the operations were carried out in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, to intensify efforts to protect lives and property, particularly those of vulnerable persons.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the police leadership to sustaining operations against human trafficking, armed robbery, illegal arms trafficking and other forms of criminality across the country.
He also urged members of the public to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the nearest police station.
Godfrey assured Nigerians that the coordinated operations would be sustained and replicated across all states of the federation.
