Police Rescue 21-Year-Old Nigerian Woman Trafficked to Mali, Arrest Three Suspects

Police Rescue 21-Year-Old Nigerian Woman Trafficked to Mali, Arrest Three Suspects

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested three suspected members of an international human trafficking syndicate and rescued a 21-year-old Nigerian woman who was allegedly trafficked to Mali and forced into prostitution.

The operation was carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) between October 1 and 27, 2026. The development was disclosed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the squad, ACP Victor Ogbiede Godfrey, during a briefing in Abuja.

The rescued woman, identified as Godiya Amos (not her real name), is from Akwanga, Nasarawa State. According to the Police, she was allegedly lured by one of the suspects, Orgba Solomon, with promises of lucrative employment abroad.

Investigations revealed that on September 26, 2026, she was taken through Lagos and illegal border routes into the Republic of Benin before being transported to artisanal gold-mining camps in Mali, where women were allegedly forced into prostitution.

The Police said Solomon confiscated her mobile phone and travel documents before handing her over to other members of the trafficking network. She was allegedly sold for CFA 420,000, equivalent to approximately ₦770,000.

According to the Police, her refusal to engage in prostitution attracted severe beatings, and she was allegedly forced to take a blood oath at a shrine before being subjected to sexual exploitation.

The investigation began after the victim’s sister reported her disappearance. Police operatives subsequently deployed intelligence-led investigations and digital tracking to identify members of the network.

The suspects were identified as Daniel Aondofa, 26; Orgba Solomon, 28, also known as Terry, who was described as the alleged leader of the syndicate and a resident of the Republic of Benin; and Thankgod Ocho, 25. All three are indigenes of Benue State.

The Police disclosed that Solomon returned to Nigeria on October 18 to recruit more women for trafficking to Senegal and Mali. During the operation, three other female victims, identified as Martha Godiya, Amina Usman and Hadisa Yahaya, were rescued and reunited with their families.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Solomon and his alleged accomplices, whose statements reportedly provided information that helped operatives locate and rescue Godiya Amos from Mali.

In a disturbing revelation, the rescued woman reportedly told investigators that about 42 other Nigerian women were still being held in a makeshift camp within a remote gold-mining settlement in Mali, where they were allegedly subjected to forced prostitution and harsh, slave-like conditions. She said their movements were restricted, making escape extremely difficult.

The Police said investigations were ongoing, with efforts intensified to apprehend other members of the trafficking network and rescue additional victims.

Police Also Arrest Car Theft Suspects, Alleged Gun Runners

In separate operations, the FID-STS also arrested members of a suspected vehicle theft syndicate. The suspects were identified as Aminu Shafiu and Mohammed Yahaya, both from Adamawa State.

Five vehicles were reportedly recovered, including two Toyota Corolla cars, a Toyota Pontiac Vibe, a Toyota Sienna and another Toyota Pontiac vehicle.

The Police also arrested three suspected gun runners and logistics suppliers to bandit groups. They were identified as Musa Lawal and Bello Abubakar, both from Katsina State, and Abubakar Mohammed from Yobe State.

The FID-STS said the operations were carried out in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to strengthen efforts against human trafficking, armed robbery, illegal arms trafficking and other criminal activities.

The Police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the nearest police station.

Investigations into the cases are ongoing.

Police Rescue 21-Year-Old Nigerian Woman Trafficked to Mali, Arrest Three Suspects