Get Guardian on Google•Victim alleges 42 Nigerian women are held in gold-mining camp and forced into prostitution
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested three suspected members of an international human trafficking syndicate and rescued a 21-year-old Nigerian woman who was allegedly trafficked to Mali and forced into prostitution.
The police also disclosed that about 42 Nigerian women were being held in a makeshift camp in a remote gold-mining settlement in Mali, where they were allegedly subjected to sexual exploitation and slave-like conditions.
The suspects were identified as Daniel Aondofa, 26; Orgba Solomon, 28, also known as Terry, who allegedly leads the syndicate and resides in the Republic of Benin; and Thankgod Ocho, 25. All three are indigenes of Benue State.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Tactical Squad (STS), Victor Ogbiede Godfrey, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja yesterday.
He said the operation, which took place between October 1 and 27, also led to the rescue of three other female victims and a woman from Mali.
According to the police, investigations revealed that Solomon lured the principal victim, Miss Godiya Amos, from Akwanga, Nasarawa State, on September 26, 2026, with promises of lucrative employment abroad.
Amos was allegedly taken through Lagos and illegal border routes into the Republic of Benin before being transported to artisanal gold-mining camps in Mali, where female victims were reportedly forced into prostitution.
Before her departure, Solomon allegedly confiscated her mobile phone and travel documents, cutting off communication with her family.
The police said she was subsequently handed over to other members of the trafficking network and sold for CFA420,000, equivalent to approximately N770,000.
“Her refusal to engage in prostitution attracted severe beatings, and she was allegedly forced to take a blood oath at a shrine before being compelled into sexual exploitation,” the police said.
The force said a report by the victim’s sister prompted operatives of the Special Tactical Squad’s intelligence unit (STS-FID) to launch an intelligence-led investigation.
It added that on October 18, Solomon returned to Nigeria to recruit more women for trafficking to Senegal and Mali, leading to the rescue of three other female victims identified as Martha Godiya, Amina Usman and Hadisa Yahaya.
The three women were subsequently reunited with their families.
Further digital intelligence, according to the police, led to the arrest of Solomon and his alleged accomplices, Aondofa and Ocho.
The suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the trafficking network and provided information that helped the police rescue Amos from Mali.
The rescued victim also disclosed that approximately 42 Nigerian women were being held in a makeshift camp within a remote gold-mining settlement, where they were allegedly subjected to forced prostitution and harsh, slave-like conditions.
“Their movements are restricted, making escape extremely difficult,” the police quoted her as saying.
The police said investigations were ongoing, adding that efforts had been intensified to apprehend other members of the network and rescue more victims.
In a related development, the STS arrested two suspected members of a car theft syndicate, identified as Aminu Shafiu and Mohammed Yahaya, both from Adamawa State.
The operation led to the recovery of five vehicles, including a blue Toyota Corolla with registration number ABC 81 AA; an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla; a maroon Toyota Pontiac Vibe with registration number YABC 325 AM; a gold Toyota Sienna with registration number YMT 728 SU; and a white Toyota Pontiac with registration number ABJ 226 EX.
The police also announced the arrest of three suspected gun runners and logistics suppliers to bandits. They were identified as Musa Lawal and Bello Abubakar, both from Katsina State, and Abubakar Mohammed from Yobe State.
The force said investigations into the cases were continuing.
