Nine Ivorian nationals have escaped from a human trafficking network in Nigeria
after being lured into the country by promises of lucrative job opportunities, which
turned out to be part of a sophisticated pyramid scam.
The victims were reportedly deceived by recruiters — often acquaintances or
relatives — who promised high-paying jobs and required upfront payments for
housing and administrative procedures. Upon arrival, however, the migrants were
stripped of their passports and phones and forced into confinement in overcrowded
rooms. They were subjected to daily psychological abuse, food deprivation, and
coerced into recruiting new victims.
“They said I would earn four times my usual salary. Instead, I was held hostage
and fed once a day,” one escapee told reporters.
The trafficking ring also falsely promised relocation to Europe or Canada,
demanding continuous payments for fake travel documents. Victims, under
pressure, were forced to solicit money from their families back home in Côte
d’Ivoire.
Taking advantage of a lapse in guard supervision, the nine victims escaped by
climbing over barbed wire and wandering the streets of Abuja, where they were
eventually rescued by local police and the Ivorian embassy.
Ivorian and Nigerian authorities have launched joint efforts to dismantle such
trafficking networks, and calls have intensified for public awareness campaigns to
prevent future exploitation.
While nine have regained their freedom, many more remain in captivity.
Authorities stress the need for international cooperation to combat human
trafficking across the region.
Comments