Four Nigerian Girls, Including 14-Year-Old, Rescued from Mali Prostitution Ring

By Emmanuel Kwada

Four Nigerian girls from Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, including a 14-year-old minor, have been rescued from an alleged human trafficking network that forced them into prostitution in Morila, Mali.

The rescue was carried out through a joint intervention by the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation (GAHTO) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

The trafficker threatened to sell or kill any girl who refused to comply.

According to a statement issued on Monday by GAHTO founder, Prosper Michael, the victims were lured to Mali with promises of legitimate employment in gold mining and shops but were allegedly forced into prostitution upon arrival.

Michael disclosed that the breakthrough followed a distress message sent by one of the victims through WhatsApp after she used artificial intelligence (AI) to seek assistance.

He said the message was received by Geoffrey, Head of Operations at NAPTIP’s Uyo Command, who subsequently contacted him to coordinate the rescue.

Michael explained that he contacted one of the girls and worked with a Nigerian community leader in Mali to facilitate their safe return.

One of the rescued victims, identified as Sekinat, a 23-year-old auxiliary nurse, said she travelled to Mali on October 14 and arrived on October 19 after a family acquaintance promised her a legitimate job.

She alleged that upon arrival, the woman who facilitated her journey seized her phone and identification documents before informing her that she was expected to engage in prostitution.

Sekinat further claimed that the trafficker threatened to sell or kill any girl who refused to comply.

She said the victims eventually gained access to a hidden phone and used AI-assisted searches on WhatsApp to locate people who could help them after an earlier attempt to contact a Nigerian Army officer failed.

The victims reportedly sent their photographs, the alleged trafficker’s phone number and name, as well as their location, to facilitate their rescue.

Geoffrey described the discovery that a 14-year-old girl was among the victims as particularly disturbing, stressing that the minor’s involvement amounted to child abuse.

The rescue team has appealed to Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Kogi State Government to provide the survivors with medical attention, psychological counselling and educational support.

They also called on relevant authorities to investigate the alleged trafficking network and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

The four girls are currently receiving care and undergoing rehabilitation following their rescue.