Police Rescue Nigerian Woman Sold for ₦770,000 in Mali, Arrest Three Suspected Traffickers

By Chibuzo Obidike | IchieTimes

The Nigeria Police Force has rescued a 21-year-old Nigerian woman allegedly trafficked to Mali and sold for 420,000 CFA francs, equivalent to about ₦770,000, for forced prostitution.

The operation also led to the arrest of three suspected members of an international human trafficking syndicate identified as Daniel Aondofa, 26; Orgba Solomon, 28, also known as Terry; and ThankGod Ocho, 25. All three suspects are from Benue State, while Solomon was identified by the police as the alleged leader of the network.

The police said the victim, Patience Darius, from Akwanga, Nasarawa State, was lured by Solomon with promises of lucrative employment abroad.

According to the police, she was taken to Lagos on September 26, 2026, before being moved through illegal border routes into the Benin Republic and subsequently transported to gold-mining camps in Mali.

Her mobile phone and travel documents were allegedly confiscated, cutting off communication with her family. Upon arrival in Mali, she was reportedly handed over to two individuals identified as Mohammed and Marian, also known as Riana, before being sold.

Recounting her ordeal, Darius said she was severely beaten for refusing to engage in prostitution and was taken to a shrine where she was forced to take a blood oath before being compelled into the trade.

The Force said the investigation began after the victim’s sister lodged a complaint. Operatives of the Special Tactical Squad, Force Intelligence Department, subsequently deployed digital intelligence to track the syndicate.

The police disclosed that Solomon was arrested after returning to Nigeria to recruit more women for trafficking to Senegal and Mali, while the other two suspects were also apprehended. The suspects reportedly provided information that helped investigators locate and rescue the victim.

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 under strict surveillance.

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

The police said investigations were continuing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate and secure the rescue of additional victims.