By Editor
Four girls from Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, including a 14-year-old minor, have been rescued from human traffickers in Morila, Mali, following a joint intervention by the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.
According to a statement issued on Monday by GAHTO founder, Prosper Michael, the victims were lured to Mali with promises of jobs in gold mining and shops but were forced into prostitution.
The statement added that their rescue followed a distress message sent by one of the girls through WhatsApp after using artificial intelligence to seek help.
According to Michael, the rescue followed a distress alert received by Geoffrey, Head of Operations at NAPTIP’s Uyo Command, who subsequently contacted him for assistance.
Michael said he contacted one of the victims and worked with a Nigerian community leader in Mali to facilitate their safe return.
According to the statement, one of the victims, Sekinat, an auxiliary nurse, said her mother’s friend had promised her a legitimate job.
“I started the journey on October 14 and got there on October 19. When I got there, she collected my phone and ID cards. She later told me that the work they do here is prostitution. I thought it was a joke,” the 23-year-old said.
Sekinat said the trafficker threatened to sell or kill girls who refused to engage in prostitution.
She also alleged that the trafficker collected CFA2.5m to facilitate their journey to Mali but instructed them to tell the embassy that she spent CFA1.5m on bringing them into the country.
She explained that the victims eventually obtained a hidden phone and used AI on WhatsApp to find help after an initial attempt to contact a Nigerian Army officer failed.
“We sent him our pictures, our madam’s number and her name and the name of the area. We were four in number,” she said.
Geoffrey said the victim’s message read, “I am a Nigerian girl, trapped in Mali. My madam seized my passport and asked me to go and be doing hook-up. Please, our life is in danger.”
He said the girl explained that AI had provided his contact after she searched for assistance.
Geoffrey described the discovery that a 14-year-old was among the victims as disturbing, adding that people cried during her interview.
“How can he send a child of 14 years? Irrespective of the work she wants to go and do there, it is abuse. It is child abuse,” he said, referring to the minor’s father, who reportedly approved her trip.
Michael described human trafficking abroad as alarming, saying, “Our people are crying for rescue every day and we must be there for them.”
The rescue team called on Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the state government to provide medical care, counselling and educational support for the survivors.
They also urged authorities to investigate the alleged trafficking network and prosecute those responsible.
The statement added that the four girls are currently undergoing care and rehabilitation.
