The latest operation, part of a series of anti-trafficking actions since July 2024, brings the total number of Nigerian women rescued from Ghana to 130, according to NiDCOM. Spokesperson Abdur-Rahman Balogun reported that the women, aged 18 to 29, were promised employment but instead faced exploitation and were reportedly bound by oaths of secrecy.
In related actions, security forces recently rescued nine trafficking victims in two separate operations. Over the past two decades, NiDCOM has assisted in the repatriation of more than 21,000 trafficking victims.
Despite ongoing efforts, the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report points to challenges within Nigeria’s anti-trafficking initiatives. The report notes that while 409 cases were investigated and 36 traffickers convicted over the past year, stronger judicial training is needed to improve case outcomes.
Nigeria is a leading country of origin for trafficking victims identified in Africa, Europe, and beyond. Globally, challenges persist, with 10,572 trafficking prosecutions and 90,354 identified victims reported in 2021—figures that represent only a fraction of those impacted, according to a 2022 U.S. State Department report.
In March, NiDCOM highlighted a tactic used by traffickers, who employ well-known brand logos and fake oil and gas job offers to lure young people into exploitation in West Africa.
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