The Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation (GAHTO) has raised alarm over the increasing rate of human trafficking in Nigeria, particularly affecting vulnerable young women.
The concern follows the rescue of a 22-year-old woman, Njoku Nnena, who was trafficked to Mali. GAHTO’s founder, Prosper Michael, disclosed that economic hardship and family responsibilities influenced her decision to leave home in search of better opportunities.
Sharing her story, Nnena explained that her journey began in Onitsha before she moved to Lagos, where she encountered individuals who eventually connected her to traffickers.
“I wanted to provide for my three-year-old son and support my mother, so I decided to travel. In Lagos, I met a woman under a bridge who helped arrange the trip,” she recounted.
She was then moved through Cotonou in the Benin Republic and taken to Mali, where she was handed over to another member of the trafficking network.
According to her, she was placed in a residence with other Nigerian girls under the control of a “madam,” where they were forced into prostitution and pressured to send money, despite not fully understanding the arrangement.
Her situation became more critical due to her health condition. Nnena, who suffers from epilepsy caused by a childhood stroke, said she had no access to her medication during the journey.
“My condition worsened because I didn’t have my drugs. I couldn’t keep up with what they wanted me to do,” she said.
Unable to meet their demands, she was eventually sent back to Nigeria. With the help of GAHTO, she was rescued and safely returned home on Easter Friday.
Her mother, Ipe Ikenna Lora, spoke about her daughter’s long-term health struggles, explaining that she began experiencing convulsions at the age of two, which later developed into epilepsy and memory loss.
She added that the situation strained her marriage, as her husband left, blaming her for their daughter’s condition. Since then, she has been solely responsible for caring for Nnena while managing a small business.
The emotional and financial burden has also affected her health, leading to high blood pressure. She revealed that her daughter sometimes wanders off due to her condition, and she was unaware of her trip to Mali until GAHTO contacted her after the rescue.
Now back in Nigeria, Nnena is seeking support to rebuild her life. She expressed a desire to return to school or learn a skill, as well as access proper medical care.
“I want to become independent and take care of myself, but I need help with treatment and education,” she said.
Her mother also appealed to the government and the public for assistance, hoping her daughter can regain stability.
GAHTO noted that Nnena’s case reflects a wider and troubling pattern of human trafficking across West Africa, especially targeting vulnerable individuals facing economic and health challenges.
The organisation called for urgent collaboration among stakeholders, increased awareness, stronger preventive measures, and sustainable rehabilitation programmes for survivors.
It also urged government authorities to take immediate steps to support victims and curb the growing menace of human trafficking.