Four girls from Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, including a 14-year-old minor, have been rescued from human traffickers in Morila, Mali, following a joint intervention by the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.
According to a statement issued on Monday by GAHTO founder, Prosper Michael, the victims were lured to Mali with promises of jobs in gold mining and shops but were forced into prostitution.
The statement added that their rescue followed a distress message sent by one of the girls through WhatsApp after using artificial intelligence to seek help.
According to Michael, the rescue followed a distress alert received by Geoffrey, Head of Operations at NAPTIP’s Uyo Command, who subsequently contacted him for assistance.
Michael said he contacted one of the victims and worked with a Nigerian community leader in Mali to facilitate their safe return.
According to the statement, one of the victims, Sekinat, an auxiliary nurse, said her mother’s friend had promised her a legitimate job.
“I started the journey on October 14 and got there on October 19. When I got there, she collected my phone and ID cards. She later told me that the work they do here is prostitution. I thought it was a joke,” the 23-year-old said.
Sekinat said the trafficker threatened to sell or kill girls who refused to engage in prostitution.