The Nigeria Police Force have arrested three suspected members of an international human trafficking syndicate and rescued a 21-year-old Nigerian woman who was allegedly trafficked to Mali, sold for N770,000 and forced into prostitution.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Tactical Squad (STS), Victor Ogbiede Godfrey, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Godfrey 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.
Godfrey 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.
