Three suspected traffickers arrested as police rescue 21-year-old Nigerian lady offered for N770,000 in Mali

Crime

By Linda Ikeji
4 November 2026, 12:01 pm

The Nigeria Police Force have arrested three suspected members of a global human trafficking syndicate and rescued a 21-year-old Nigerian lady who was allegedly trafficked to Mali, offered for N770,000 and compelled into prostitution.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police in control of the Special Tactical Squad (STS), Victor Ogbiede Godfrey, disclosed this whereas briefing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Godfrey disclosed that about 42 Nigerian ladies had been being held in a makeshift camp in a distant gold-mining settlement in Mali, the place they had been allegedly subjected to sexual exploitation and slave-like situations.

The suspects had been recognized as Daniel Aondofa, 26; Orgba Solomon, 28, often known as Terry, who allegedly leads the syndicate and resides within the Republic of Benin; and Thankgod Ocho, 25. All three are indigenes of Benue State.

Godfrey stated the operation, which passed off between October 1 and 27, additionally led to the rescue of three different feminine victims and a lady from Mali.

According to the police, investigations revealed that Solomon lured the principal sufferer, Miss Godiya Amos, from Akwanga, Nasarawa State, on September 26, 2026, with guarantees of profitable employment overseas.

Amos was allegedly taken by Lagos and unlawful border routes into the Republic of Benin earlier than being transported to artisanal gold-mining camps in Mali, the place feminine victims had been reportedly pressured into prostitution.

Before her departure, Solomon allegedly confiscated her cell phone and journey paperwork, slicing off communication together with her household.

The police stated she was subsequently handed over to different members of the trafficking community and offered for CFA420,000, equal to roughly 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 ladies had been subsequently reunited with their households.

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.