Rescued Nigerians Reveal Fake Job Offers Led to Human Trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire

Several Nigerians rescued from human trafficking operations in Côte d’Ivoire have shared how they were deceived with promises of legitimate jobs before being forced into sexual exploitation. The victims were rescued through a joint operation involving the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Ivorian authorities, and the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation (GAHTO). According to GAHTO, the survivors were lured with false employment opportunities but were instead taken to locations where they were subjected to exploitation and denied the freedom to leave. One of the rescued victims, a 17-year-old from Benue State, said she accepted what she believed was a bakery job in Abuja before being transported through Lagos to Côte d’Ivoire. She said the promised employment never existed and that the victims were closely monitored, with their communications to family members restricted. Another survivor said she travelled abroad hoping to earn enough money to support her family and finance her daughter's education but later discovered she had been trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation. She said the victims were told they had to repay alleged transportation costs before they could regain their freedom. The anti-trafficking organisation disclosed that another rescue operation in Côte d’Ivoire led to the release of three additional victims from Benue State. GAHTO described the rescue missions as an important step in combating human trafficking and urged Nigerians to verify overseas job and migration opportunities through relevant government agencies before accepting employment offers abroad. The organisation also called for stronger cooperation among governments, security agencies, and international partners to dismantle trafficking networks, rescue victims, and prosecute those responsible. Anti-trafficking advocates warned that rising unemployment, economic hardship, and irregular migration continue to expose many Nigerians to traffickers who disguise their activities as genuine recruitment opportunities. They encouraged prospective migrants to carry out proper background checks and report suspicious recruiters to the appropriate authorities.