78 NIGERIAN WOMEN RESCUED FROM HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN COTE D’IVOIRE IN GOVERNMENT- BACKED MISSION 11-05-25
By Sadiq Aminu In a decisive move against transnational human trafficking, 78 Nigerian nationals—mostly young women—have been rescued from exploitative conditions in Côte d’Ivoire and flown back to Nigeria in a state-sponsored operation hailed as a significant humanitarian intervention.
The victims, who had been trafficked into the West African nation under false pretenses, arrived late Saturday night at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Their return was facilitated through a coordinated effort by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in collaboration with the Nigerian community in Côte d’Ivoire and other concerned partners.
Their evacuation was carried out aboard a commercial aircraft provided free of charge by a Nigerian airline. The airline’s Chairman and CEO, Mr. Allen Onyema, personally led the mission and described it as a fulfillment of moral duty rather than a corporate gesture. He emphasized that “no amount of money compares to the value of a single human life,” adding that his organization had also sponsored immediate medical care for the returnees.
The group comprised 75 young women, two men, and three infants. Several women were pregnant, and at least one had already given birth while in captivity. Upon arrival, the returnees showed visible signs of trauma and distress, with many requiring immediate medical and psychological intervention.
NAPTIP Director-General, Dr. Binta Adamu Bello, received the group at the airport alongside other agency officials. She described the rescue as a clear demonstration of the Nigerian government’s renewed resolve to dismantle trafficking networks and restore dignity to victims. “This is a moment of national responsibility,” she said. “To those who traffic our daughters and sisters, let this be a warning—NAPTIP will pursue justice relentlessly.”
Dr. Bello disclosed that NAPTIP had already arrested some suspects connected to the trafficking ring. Further investigations and operations are underway both in Nigeria and abroad to apprehend more individuals linked to the syndicate. The agency has also begun profiling the returnees to determine their specific needs and ensure they receive psychosocial support, skills training, and assistance for reintegration.
The rescue mission was sparked by a viral video posted by Nigerian influencer Vincent Otse, popularly known as The Very Dark Man, who recently visited Côte d’Ivoire. His firsthand exposure to the victims’ plight drew public and governmental attention to the crisis. “We must tighten our borders,” Otse stated, “because too many innocent girls are being lured and trapped in foreign lands under inhumane conditions.”
According to Mr. Michael Onwunjalo, President of the Nigerian community in Côte d’Ivoire, plans had originally been made to evacuate 150 trafficking victims. However, some of them were allegedly recaptured by traffickers shortly before the operation, reducing the number of those successfully rescued. He called for closer cooperation between Nigerian and Ivorian authorities to track down the remaining victims and prosecute those responsible.
One of the rescued women, Clara (not her real name), gave a harrowing account of her ordeal to journalists at the airport. Fighting back tears, she recounted the abuse, deprivation, and hopelessness she endured during her time in captivity. “I saw hell in Abidjan,” she said. “I thank God I’m alive today. I may never forget the suffering, but hearing the DG of NAPTIP speak to us gave me hope again.”
The returnees are currently being sheltered in Lagos under the care of NAPTIP and partner organizations. Medical evaluations and trauma assessments are ongoing, while arrangements are being made to reconnect them with their families or safe transitional homes. NAPTIP has assured the public that each survivor will be offered long-term rehabilitation support to help them rebuild their lives.
Meanwhile, two suspects believed to be key figures in the trafficking network have been arrested in Nigeria. NAPTIP operatives, acting on intelligence gathered during interviews with victims, apprehended the individuals in a high-end estate in the Lugbe area of Abuja. Officials confirmed that these arrests were crucial to unraveling the wider syndicate.
Authorities maintain that Saturday’s evacuation is just the beginning of a larger effort to dismantle cross-border trafficking routes and rescue Nigerian nationals still trapped abroad. Further evacuation missions are expected in the coming weeks, and additional suspects are being pursued both locally and internationally.
As the government moves to intensify its campaign against human trafficking, many Nigerians are calling for stiffer border controls, public awareness, and community vigilance to prevent young women from falling prey to trafficking rings.
This operation stands as one of the largest recent rescues of trafficked Nigerians from abroad and underscores both the scale of the problem and the urgency for sustained, collaborative action.