Nigerian Women Rescued from Côte d’Ivoire Sex Trafficking Ring Share Their Stories

A recent operation by the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and authorities in Côte d’Ivoire, has led to the rescue of several Nigerian women who were lured into sex slavery with promises of employment. The victims, including Monica, 17; Juliet, 18; Rejoice, 25; Joy, 22; and another Monica, 38, were deceived by traffickers who preyed on their desire for a better life. According to Prosper Michael, the founder of GAHTO, the rescue operation was a significant breakthrough in the fight against human trafficking in West Africa. One of the survivors, Monica, recounted how she was offered a job at a bakery in Abuja but ended up being taken to Côte d’Ivoire, where she was forced into prostitution. 'I informed my parents about the job offer because I believed it was genuine. However, we later discovered that there were no jobs, and we were locked in a room,' she said. The victims were instructed to tell their families that they were safe, despite being forced to work against their will. Monica also revealed that the traffickers deducted money from their earnings without explanation. With the help of local residents, Monica and another victim managed to escape and contact GAHTO, which facilitated their rescue. Another survivor, Monica Tamah, travelled to Côte d’Ivoire in search of a better life to provide for her family and fund her daughter's education but was forced into prostitution. 'When we arrived, we found out that there were no jobs. Instead, we were told that we had been brought for prostitution and had to repay transportation debts through sex work,' she said. Monica claimed that she and other victims were forced to sleep with as many as 15 men daily, with their captors making about 50,000 CFA francs every day from their exploitation. The organisation has urged Nigerians to verify overseas employment and migration offers through appropriate government channels and to remain vigilant against suspicious recruiters. GAHTO also called for stronger collaboration among governments, security agencies, and international partners to dismantle trafficking networks and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.