Police Rescue Nigerian Woman Trafficked to Mali, Arrest Three Suspected Traffickers

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

The operation was conducted by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad, Force Intelligence Department (STS-FID), following an intelligence-led investigation into the trafficking network.

The development was disclosed during a press briefing by ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey, who coordinated the operation. He said the suspects were arrested between October 1 and 27, 2026.

The suspects were identified as Daniel Aondofa, 26; Orgba Solomon, 28, also known as Terry; and ThankGod Ocho, 25. All three are from Benue State, while Solomon was identified by the police as the alleged leader of the syndicate.

The rescued woman, Patience Darius, from Akwanga, Nasarawa State, was reportedly lured by Solomon with promises of lucrative employment opportunities abroad.

According to the police, she was taken to Lagos on September 26 before being transported through illegal border routes into the Benin Republic and subsequently moved to gold-mining camps in Mali, where women were allegedly forced into prostitution.

The police said Solomon confiscated her mobile phone and travel documents before taking her out of Nigeria, cutting off communication with her family and friends.

Upon arrival in Mali, Darius was allegedly handed over to two individuals identified as Mohammed and Marian, also known as Riana. She was reportedly sold for 420,000 CFA francs, equivalent to approximately N770,000.

Recounting her ordeal, the victim said she was severely beaten after refusing to engage in prostitution. She was also allegedly taken to a shrine and forced to take a blood oath before being compelled into prostitution.

The police said the investigation began after the victim’s sister reported her disappearance, prompting operatives to deploy digital intelligence to track the trafficking network.

Solomon was reportedly arrested after returning to Nigeria to recruit more women for trafficking to Senegal and Mali. The two other suspects were also apprehended during the investigation.

The police said the suspects confessed to their alleged involvement and provided information that helped officers locate and rescue Darius from Mali.

The victim further alleged that about 42 Nigerian women were being held in a makeshift camp within a gold-mining settlement in Mali, where they were subjected to forced prostitution and slave-like conditions.

According to her account, the women were kept under strict surveillance, making it extremely difficult for them to escape.

Following her rescue and return to Nigeria, Darius was taken to a police clinic for medical evaluation.

The Nigeria Police Force said investigations were ongoing to apprehend other suspected members of the trafficking network and facilitate the rescue of additional victims.