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The Boundiali Court in Côte d’Ivoire has sentenced Sandra Okon, a Nigerian woman from Akwa Ibom State, to 12 years in prison for sex trafficking.
The conviction follows the successful rescue of four young Nigerian females who were trafficked to Mali on false pretenses of lawful employment.
The young ladies were safely recovered as a result of the operation, which was organized by the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organization (GAHTO), which is headquartered in Mali, and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
At a press event in Uyo, NAPTIP’s Uyo Zonal Commander, Emmanuel Awhen, disclosed the information while highlighting the difficulties in breaking up a crossborder trafficking networks.
“These young women endured serious hardship, but thanks to the swift intervention of NAPTIP and GAHTO, they are now safe and receiving the necessary support to reintegrate into society,” Awhen stated.
He clarified that traffickers had tricked the girls into being coerced into sexual slavery by luring them with the promise of work at supermarkets and salons.
The operation began when one of the girls managed to use someone else’s phone to call a NAPTIP officer, explaining her situation and leaving voicemails that enabled a coordinated rescue with international supporters.
The rescued women claim that over fifty young Nigerian women are still coerced into forced prostitution in Mali.
Awhen responded by asking the Akwa Ibom State administration for more assistance in the fight against human trafficking and cautioning parents and guardians against people who offer international employment chances.
