Nigeria police rescue woman trafficked to Mali through illegal border routes

Nigeria Police Force operatives have rescued a 21-year-old Nigerian woman who was trafficked to Mali, sold for CFA 420,000 (about N770,000) and forced into prostitution. Three suspected members of the trafficking network have been arrested, and police say investigations are continuing to free other victims held in the country.

Key facts

• The rescue followed an operation carried out between 1 and 27 October 2026 by the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS).
• The victim, from Akwanga in Nasarawa State, was lured on 26 September 2026 with promises of lucrative employment abroad.
• She was routed through Lagos and illegal border crossings into Benin Republic, then on to artisanal gold-mining camps in Mali.
• In Mali she was allegedly sold for CFA 420,000, about N770,000.
• Three suspects were arrested, all described by police as indigenes of Benue State.
• The victim told investigators that roughly 42 Nigerian women are being held in a makeshift camp at a remote gold-mining settlement in Mali.

What happened?

The FID-STS commander, ACP Victor Ogbiede Godfrey, announced the case at a press briefing in Abuja. He said the operation was launched on the instructions of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and followed "actionable digital intelligence".

Police said the victim was lured with the offer of well-paid work overseas. Before departure, the recruiter took her mobile phone and travel documents, cutting off contact with her family. She was moved through Lagos and illegal border routes into Benin Republic and then to artisanal gold-mining camps in Mali.

On arrival she was handed to two other traffickers identified as Mohammed and Marian (also known as Riana) and sold for CFA 420,000. Police said she was beaten after refusing to engage in prostitution, was allegedly made to take a blood oath at a shrine, and was sexually exploited.

Who has been arrested?

Three suspects are in custody: Orgba Solomon, 28, also known as Terry, identified as the gang leader and said to reside in Benin Republic; Daniel Aondofa, 26; and Thankgod Ocho, 25. All three are described as indigenes of Benue State.

Police said Solomon returned to Nigeria on 18 October 2026 to recruit more young women for trafficking to Senegal and Mali. Operatives tracked and arrested him together with his accomplices. The suspects confessed, and the information they provided led to the woman's rescue from Mali.

What else did police find?

The operation also rescued three other women — Martha Godiya, Amina Usman and Hadisa Yahaya — who were being recruited for trafficking and have since been reunited with their families.

The rescued woman told investigators that approximately 42 Nigerian women were being held in a makeshift camp in a remote gold-mining settlement in Mali, where they were subjected to forced prostitution, severe beatings and slave-like conditions.

What this means for travellers

The case involved offers of lucrative employment abroad, travel through illegal border routes and the confiscation of passports and phones before departure. Anyone approached with informal job offers involving travel to the region should verify the offer and their travel arrangements carefully before leaving.

The rescued woman has been taken to a police clinic for medical evaluation. Police said investigations continue with the aim of freeing other victims and arresting members of the network who are still at large.