The Nigeria Police Force has arrested three suspected members of an international human trafficking syndicate and rescued a 21-year-old Nigerian woman allegedly trafficked to Mali and forced into prostitution.
The operation, conducted by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS), also led to the rescue of three other female victims who were allegedly being recruited for trafficking to other African countries.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of FID-STS, ACP Godfrey Ogbiede Victor, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja, attributing the breakthrough to intelligence-led investigations and digital intelligence.
He said the operation was carried out between October 1 and 27, 2026, following directives by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to intensify efforts to protect lives and property, particularly vulnerable persons.
According to him, the principal victim, identified as Miss Godiya Amos (not her real name), was allegedly lured by one of the suspects, Orgba Solomon, with promises of lucrative employment abroad.
The 21-year-old woman from Akwanga, Nasarawa State, was reportedly transported through Lagos and illegal border routes into the Republic of Benin on September 26, 2026, before being moved to artisanal gold-mining camps in Mali, where female victims were allegedly forced into prostitution.
ACP Victor disclosed that before her departure, Solomon confiscated her mobile phone and travel documents, thereby cutting off communication with her family.
She was subsequently handed over to other members of the trafficking network and allegedly sold for CFA 420,000, equivalent to approximately ₦770,000.
The police commander said the victim's refusal to engage in prostitution attracted severe beatings, while she was allegedly forced to take a blood oath at a shrine before being subjected to sexual exploitation.
He explained that the police operation commenced following a report by the victim's sister, which prompted operatives to launch an intelligence-driven investigation.
On October 18, Solomon reportedly returned to Nigeria to recruit more women for trafficking to Senegal and Mali. However, police operatives intercepted the operation and rescued three other female victims identified as Martha Godiya, Amina Usman and Hadisa Yahaya, who were subsequently reunited with their families.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Solomon and two other suspected members of the syndicate, identified as Daniel Aondofa, 26, and Thankgod Ocho, 25.
Solomon, 28, who was described as the gang leader and resident in the Republic of Benin, and the other two suspects are all indigenes of Benue State.
The police said the suspects confessed to their involvement in the trafficking network and provided information that facilitated the rescue of Godiya Amos from Mali.
In a disturbing revelation, the rescued victim reportedly told investigators that approximately 42 Nigerian women were being held in a makeshift camp within a remote gold-mining settlement in Mali, where they were subjected to forced prostitution and slave-like conditions.
She alleged that the women had restricted movement and faced extreme difficulties escaping from the camp.
The police commander said investigations were ongoing, while efforts had been intensified to apprehend other members of the trafficking network and secure the rescue of additional victims.
The latest operation underscores the growing transnational dimension of human trafficking and the need for stronger intelligence-sharing and cross-border collaboration to dismantle criminal networks exploiting vulnerable Nigerian women.
