The Nigeria Police Force has arrested three suspected members of an international human trafficking network and rescued a 21-year-old Nigerian woman allegedly sold for ₦770,000 and forced into prostitution in Mali.
The victim, identified as Godiya Amos (not her real name), was reportedly lured out of Nigeria with promises of a well-paying job but was instead trafficked to Mali and handed over to operators of a prostitution network around artisanal gold-mining camps.
The rescue followed an intelligence-led operation conducted by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) between October 1 and October 27, 2026, after the victim’s sister reported her disappearance and suspected involvement in human trafficking.
According to police investigations, one of the suspects, identified as Orgba Solomon, allegedly convinced the young woman to travel abroad in September for better employment opportunities before selling her to an international trafficking network for CFA 420,000, equivalent to approximately ₦770,000.
Rather than provide the promised employment, the suspect allegedly seized her mobile phone and travel documents before transporting her through Lagos and the Republic of Benin to Mali using illegal border routes.
The police said the victim’s refusal to engage in prostitution exposed her to severe physical abuse. Her captors allegedly beat her and subjected her to a forced blood oath at a shrine before compelling her into sexual exploitation.
The operation resulted in the arrest of three suspects identified as Daniel Aondofa, 26; Orgba Solomon, 28; and Thankgod Ocho, 25. All three suspects are reportedly from Benue State.
Police investigations identified Solomon as the alleged leader of the trafficking network operating from the Republic of Benin. He reportedly returned to Nigeria on October 18 to recruit additional young women for trafficking to Mali and Senegal, providing operatives with an opportunity to track the network.
The operation also led to the rescue of three other female victims identified as Martha Godiya, Amina Usman and Hadisa Yahaya, who have since been reunited with their families.
However, investigators uncovered further concerns about the scale of the trafficking operation following revelations by the rescued 21-year-old woman.
She reportedly told investigators that approximately 42 other Nigerian women remained trapped in a makeshift camp within a remote gold-mining settlement in Mali.
According to her account, the women were subjected to forced prostitution and conditions resembling slavery, with their movements restricted and opportunities to escape severely limited.
The disclosure has raised concerns about the safety of the remaining victims and the extent of the trafficking network operating across Nigeria, Benin Republic and Mali.
While presenting the suspects, Assistant Commissioner of Police Godfrey Victor said the arrested individuals had confessed to their alleged involvement and provided information that assisted investigators in locating and rescuing the 21-year-old woman.
He added that investigations were continuing, with security operatives working to identify other members of the network and secure the release of additional victims.
Victor said the operation formed part of the efforts of Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu to strengthen the protection of lives and property, particularly among vulnerable groups.
He urged Nigerians to exercise caution when considering overseas employment opportunities, especially offers that promise unusually high earnings without proper documentation.
The police also encouraged members of the public to report suspected human trafficking activities to the nearest police station to support ongoing efforts against the crime.
