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The Plateau State Government has raised concerns over the increasing cases of human trafficking following the rescue of three young women who were allegedly trafficked to Mali and forced into prostitution.
The victims were handed over by the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation to officials of the Plateau State Liaison Office in Lagos for rehabilitation and reintegration by the state’s Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission.
The rescued women, identified as Victoria, 23, from Delta State, and Joy and Janet, aged 22 and 23, from Plateau State, said they were lured with promises of legitimate jobs but were instead forced into sexual exploitation after arriving in Mali.
Speaking during the handover, the Special Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Gender Matters and Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, Olivia Dazyam, said the state was increasingly worried by the growing menace of human trafficking, particularly among women and children.
She noted that economic hardship has made many young Nigerians vulnerable to traffickers who disguise themselves as recruiters offering jobs, education and better opportunities abroad.
Dazyam urged parents not to entrust their children to strangers or unverified agents, warning that many victims end up in forced labour, sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse.
She added that rescued victims receive counselling, psychosocial support and empowerment programmes, while efforts are ongoing to identify and prosecute traffickers and their collaborators.
The state also pledged to intensify public awareness campaigns and strengthen collaboration with security agencies, civil society organisations and development partners to combat human trafficking.
Founder of GAHTO, Prosper Michael, said the rescue operation was made possible through collaboration with the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission after the organisation received information that the victims were being held in sexual captivity in Mali.
The rescued women urged Nigerians seeking employment abroad to verify job offers before travelling, warning that many promises of overseas work are fraudulent and designed to lure victims into exploitation.
