A Nigerian woman, Sandra Okon from Akwa Ibom State, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Boundiali Court in Côte d’Ivoire for sex trafficking.
The conviction comes as four young Nigerian girls, trafficked to Mali under false promises of legitimate work, were successfully rescued.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), working with the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation (GAHTO) based in Mali, coordinated the operation, leading to the safe recovery of the young women.
Emmanuel Awhen, NAPTIP’s Uyo Zonal Commander, revealed the details at a press briefing in Uyo, pointing out the challenges of dismantling cross-border trafficking networks.
“These young women endured serious hardship, but thanks to the swift intervention of NAPTIP and GAHTO, they are now safe and receiving the necessary support to reintegrate into society,” Awhen stated.
He explained that the girls had been misled by traffickers who lured them under the guise of supermarket and salon jobs but instead forced them into sexual exploitation.
The operation was initiated when one of the girls managed to contact a NAPTIP official using someone else’s phone, detailing her situation and sending voice notes that enabled a coordinated rescue with international partners.
The rescued girls disclosed that more than 50 young Nigerian women remain trapped in similar situations in Mali, coerced into forced prostitution.
In response, Awhen urged parents and guardians to be cautious of individuals offering foreign job opportunities and appealed to the Akwa Ibom State government for stronger support in combating human trafficking.
