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Pregnant, Bleeding, and Still Forced to Work: The Unthinkable Ordeal of 7 Nigerian Teens

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Pregnant, Bleeding, and Still Forced to Work: The Unthinkable Ordeal of 7 Nigerian Teens

Pregnant, Bleeding, and Still Forced to Work: The Unthinkable Ordeal of 7 Nigerian Teens

In a devastating betrayal of trust, seven young Nigerian women—most still teenagers—were lured across West African borders by friends and relatives with promises of legitimate jobs, only to be trapped in a brutal sex trafficking network where they were forced to service multiple men daily, even during pregnancy and menstruation.

For these seven young Nigerian women, most of whom are teenagers, the nightmare began not with strangers lurking in shadows, but with familiar faces—friends, relatives, and community members who presented themselves as trusted helpers offering a lifeline out of poverty. The recruiters claimed to have connections abroad who could secure decent jobs in boutiques, restaurants, salons, and homes. What awaited the young girls across the border, however, was a brutal reality of deception, coercion, and exploitation. Their rescue by the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organization (GAHTO) , working with authorities in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria’s National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) , is more than a narrative of survival. It is a chilling reminder of how human traffickers increasingly rely on trusted agents, relatives, and acquaintances to lure vulnerable young people into modern-day slavery.

For 22-year-old Sunday Sofia, known in Mali as “Testie,” the trap was carefully laid. Working as a maid and sales assistant in a Lagos boutique for just ₦20,000 monthly, she dreamed of earning more to support her family and younger siblings. When a friend introduced her to what appeared to be a better opportunity, she saw hope. “It was one of my friends who told me she had secured another job for me,” Sofia recalled. “I accepted thinking it was a legitimate job. We were told we were going to work as housekeepers.” Instead, she found herself trapped in Mali, far from home and stripped of every right she once took for granted.

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Her story mirrors those of 17-year-old Blessing Samson, Esther Gyang, Odey Blessing, and others who were allegedly recruited through a network of agents who presented themselves as trusted helpers. Blessing said a man identified as Peter approached them in their hometown in Plateau State with what sounded like a life-changing opportunity. “He told us his sister had a business in Mali and needed people to work with her,” Blessing stated. The girls were promised jobs in boutiques, restaurants, and phone shops. They repeatedly sought assurances, suspicious of the too-good-to-be-true offer. “We asked him if it was really the work he told us we were going there to do. We even asked if it was hookup work. He said no,” recalled Odey Blessing, known as “Beauty.” 22-year-old Sandy Sophia, also from Plateau State, echoed this sentiment: “I asked countless times if it was prostitution, and they kept telling me it was not. It was only after we reached Burkina Faso that they finally admitted it was prostitution.”

The assurances were enough. They packed their bags, filled with hope and dreams of a better life. The moment they crossed the border, the dream died. Upon arrival in Mali, the girls were taken not to boutiques or restaurants but to bars where other young women greeted them with a phrase they did not understand at the time. “The following day, reality became impossible to ignore. They told us there was no boutique or phone plaza. They said it was prostitution,” Odey said. The girls cried. They pleaded. They begged. But they were told they had no choice.

One alleged trafficker reportedly informed them they owed 1.5 million CFA Francs each—approximately ₦4 million—and could only repay the debt through sex work. This tactic of debt bondage is a common tool used by trafficking networks to control their victims, creating a cycle of exploitation that seems impossible to escape. “They started starving us for three days. We had no option. What followed were weeks of exploitation. Some of us had to service multiple men daily while struggling to repay debts that seemed impossible to clear,” Odey recounted. According to Odey, there were no breaks—even during menstruation. “Even when we were having our menstrual cycle, we still had to sleep with men,” she said.

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Perhaps the most disturbing revelation from the rescue operation is how pregnancy became another layer of vulnerability rather than a shield from exploitation. 20-year-old Augusta Akoghamhen said the recruitment began through a relative of her father. The man allegedly assured the family that she would work as a domestic employee for foreigners and would travel by air. Because the information came through someone known to the family, suspicion never arose. “My father agreed because he believed the job was legitimate,” Augusta said. The journey eventually took more than a week by road. When they arrived, the promises vanished. “They didn’t even allow us rest from the stress of the travel. That same evening we were forced to start working. The work, I discovered, was prostitution. At the time, I was already pregnant. Unfortunately, pregnancy offered no protection,” she recalled. Augusta said she was beaten whenever she resisted working. “Anytime I refused to work because I was not feeling well, my boss attacked me. Despite being pregnant, I was expected to continue servicing clients while handing over virtually all earnings,” Augusta noted.

Elizabeth, another survivor who was trafficked alongside Augusta, experienced the same cruelty. “If they had told me it was prostitution, I would not have agreed to travel. My trafficker continued demanding work despite my advancing pregnancy. She said we would continue to work until we gave birth,” Elizabeth said. The dehumanization was complete when Elizabeth discovered she had become a commodity in a dispute between traffickers. “What shocked me most was discovering I had effectively become a commodity in a dispute between my boss, Osas, and her co-trafficker, Aisha. She refused and said except Aisha would buy me. I became a commodity for sale,” Elizabeth recounted.

Several of the girls recounted threats that they would go mad if they attempted to escape. Blessing remembered being warned repeatedly. “Our madam threatened that we would run mad if we refused to work or escape,” Blessing stated. The threats were designed to exploit cultural fears and keep victims psychologically trapped, demonstrating the sophisticated manipulation tactics employed by trafficking rings.

Despite the intimidation, the girls quietly began planning their escape. Ironically, one of the people who eventually helped rescue the girls was someone they knew from home. Sofia recalled meeting a man from their village who worked in Mali. “We knew him in our village before we travelled. He knows us and he knows our parents. When he discovered our situation, he promised to help,” she said. That intervention eventually connected the victims to GAHTO, setting in motion a rescue effort that would bring them back to Nigeria. For Augusta, the turning point came when she secretly reached out to her father in Nigeria. The message triggered a chain of events that eventually reached GAHTO and NAPTIP.

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GAHTO coordinated efforts leading to the rescue of Augusta and Elizabeth from Burkina Faso, after which they were received by NAPTIP’s Benin Zonal Command upon arrival in Nigeria. For the five girls rescued from Mali—Sunday Sofia, Blessing Samson, Esther Gyang, Odey Blessing, and Rose Pam—the intervention also brought an end to months of fear and uncertainty. Most returned home with little more than the clothes they were wearing. Some lost personal belongings; others worked for months without compensation. Yet all returned with something more valuable: freedom.

For Sofia, who spent two months in Mali, returning home felt like being given a second chance. “My greatest regret is travelling to Mali. I am happy to see myself in Nigeria. I won’t go back again,” Sofia declared. Today, she hopes to return to hairdressing and complete the apprenticeship she abandoned in pursuit of a better life. “I want to complete my hairdressing training. I was learning before I left, and I want to continue. I don’t want to experience that kind of life again,” she said.

These young women were not kidnapped by strangers lurking in dark corners. Many were recruited by people they knew: friends, relatives, neighbours, and trusted community members. The traffickers understood a painful truth: trust opens doors that force cannot. According to NAPTIP, human trafficking remains a major challenge in Nigeria. In 2025 alone, NAPTIP rescued over 370 Nigerian trafficking victims from countries including Ghana, Senegal, and other West African states, reflecting ongoing cross-border trafficking networks within the region. The agency also secured 93 convictions of human traffickers and intercepted more than 2,500 potential victims of trafficking both within Nigeria and across borders. The agency has noted that Edo and Delta States remain high-risk zones for human trafficking due to proximity to international borders and high migration pressure.

GAHTO’s founder, Prosper K.A. Michael, emphasized that poverty remains the primary driver of the crime: “When young people lack opportunities and parents are struggling, traffickers step in with false promises. We must tackle poverty and strengthen family bonds to protect our children.” The survivors’ stories exposed how false promises of jobs, education, and prosperity continue to lure vulnerable young Nigerians across borders into exploitation through recruitment by trusted connections, cross-border transportation, debt bondage, forced prostitution, psychological manipulation, and exploitation of vulnerability even during pregnancy and illness.

Anti-trafficking advocates and survivors themselves agree that meaningful change requires strengthening border controls to intercept trafficking networks, launching public awareness campaigns in high-risk communities, implementing economic empowerment programs to reduce vulnerability, ensuring stricter prosecution of traffickers including those who recruit through trusted networks, providing support services for survivors including counseling and job training, and offering community education to help families recognize recruitment tactics. Today, Sofia dreams of reopening her path to becoming a professional hairdresser. Others hope to return to school, rebuild their lives, and reunite with their families. For them, the journey home is a new beginning—and a powerful reminder that no promise of quick wealth is worth the price of freedom. Their stories are not just tales of survival. They are a call to action for governments, communities, and individuals to stand against human trafficking and protect the vulnerable among us.

Pregnant, Bleeding, and Still Forced to Work: The Unthinkable Ordeal of 7 Nigerian Teens

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EFCC Opens Mambilla Probe as Atiku, Malami, Others Named in ICC Arbitration Award

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September 21, 2026

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EFCC Opens Mambilla Probe as Atiku, Malami, Others Named in ICC Arbitration AwardEFCC Opens Mambilla Probe as Atiku, Malami, Others Named in ICC Arbitration Award

EFCC Opens Mambilla Probe as Atiku, Malami, Others Named in ICC Arbitration Award

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly constituted a special investigative team to examine alleged questionable transactions and dealings connected to the long-running Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, following a major International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration ruling involving Nigeria and Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.

The development comes days after an ICC tribunal ruled in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, rejecting claims brought by Sunrise Power and its promoter, Leno Adesanya, over the controversial power project.

The reported EFCC investigation is expected to examine transactions and allegations arising from the 616-page arbitration award.

Among the individuals named or discussed in the tribunal proceedings are former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, his former wife Jennifer Douglas Abubakar, former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, former Minister of Power and Steel Olu Agunloye, former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, his son Abubakar Dasuki, former Solicitor-General of the Federation Abdullahi Yola, and former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power Dere Awosika.

The appearance of a person’s name in the arbitration award does not, however, establish criminal liability. The reported EFCC investigation is a separate process through which allegations and financial transactions may be examined under Nigerian law.

The ICC tribunal rejected Sunrise Power’s claims against Nigeria, including a demand linked to an earlier settlement agreement. The tribunal also ordered Sunrise and Adesanya to reimburse Nigeria about $11.8 million in legal fees and expenses.

The arbitration was connected to the disputed Mambilla Power Project in Taraba State, which has been the subject of legal and contractual disagreements for more than two decades.

One of the transactions examined by the tribunal was a $500,000 payment made by Adesanya in January 2003 from an account associated with his offshore company, China Castle Investments Ltd, to a United States bank account belonging to Jennifer Douglas Abubakar.

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According to the tribunal findings, Adesanya said the payment was connected to a foreign-exchange transaction undertaken for Atiku through his bureau de change business.

The tribunal, however, said the explanation was not supported by sufficient documentary evidence. It noted that records establishing the underlying naira payment, exchange rate, instructions or other documentation corroborating the explanation were not produced.

The tribunal described the circumstances surrounding the transaction as raising significant questions, particularly because of its timing and Adesanya’s efforts to secure the Mambilla contract.

The tribunal also considered other payments involving individuals connected to the project, including payments allegedly made to former minister Olu Agunloye through an aide and a payment of about $1.74 million made to Abubakar Dasuki.

In relation to Atiku, the tribunal’s findings require particular distinction. While it examined the $500,000 payment and the circumstances surrounding it, the tribunal did not find evidence that Atiku used his position as a government official to secure the Mambilla contract for Sunrise.

That finding is significant because the EFCC‘s reported investigation should not be presented as an established finding of criminal wrongdoing against Atiku or any other individual named in the award.

The arbitration also contained critical findings concerning former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami.

The tribunal criticised Malami’s handling of settlement negotiations with Sunrise and, according to the award, raised serious concerns about his dealings with Adesanya.

The tribunal also concluded that the settlement arrangements at the centre of the dispute were not binding on Nigeria because the required presidential approval had not been obtained.

The findings concerning Malami are part of an arbitration award rather than a criminal conviction. Any criminal consequences would depend on further investigation and, where applicable, prosecution and adjudication by the appropriate Nigerian courts.

The Mambilla Power Project dates back to a 2003 arrangement for the development of a major hydropower facility in Taraba State. The project subsequently became embroiled in disputes over the validity of the contract, settlement agreements and compensation claims.

Sunrise Power later pursued arbitration proceedings against Nigeria, including claims running into hundreds of millions of dollars.

The latest ICC decision rejected the claims before the tribunal and was welcomed by the Federal Government as a major development in the prolonged dispute.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomed the ruling and said it removed a significant legal obstacle surrounding the project.

Sunrise Power promoter Leno Adesanya, however, said the company’s legal team would review the arbitration decision and consider available lawful options.

The reported EFCC investigation now introduces a separate domestic dimension to the Mambilla controversy.

Investigators are expected to examine the financial transactions, relationships and official decisions highlighted during the arbitration proceedings and determine whether any of the conduct amounts to offences under Nigerian law.

The EFCC has not publicly announced criminal charges against Atiku, Malami or the other individuals whose names appeared in the tribunal proceedings based on the reports surrounding the latest development.

Consequently, being named in the ICC Mambilla arbitration award should not be interpreted as equivalent to being charged with or convicted of a crime.

The latest development nevertheless places the Mambilla Power Project, the disputed financial transactions and the conduct of several former public officials under renewed scrutiny as the reported EFCC investigation progresses.

The focus will now be on what the domestic investigation establishes independently of the ICC proceedings, while the Federal Government continues efforts to advance the long-delayed hydropower project.

EFCC Opens Mambilla Probe as Atiku, Malami, Others Named in ICC Arbitration Award

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Kidnapped Female Police Officer Found Dead in Ebonyi as Suspect Leads Police to Remains

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2 hours ago

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September 21, 2026

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Kidnapped Female Police Officer Found Dead in Ebonyi as Suspect Leads Police to Remains

Kidnapped Female Police Officer Found Dead in Ebonyi as Suspect Leads Police to Remains

A female police officer kidnapped in Ebonyi State has been found dead after police arrested a principal suspect in connection with her abduction and recovered her remains from a location allegedly identified by the suspect.

The development was disclosed by the Nigeria Police Force in its latest nationwide operational update, which highlighted arrests, rescue operations and the recovery of weapons and other exhibits across several states.

According to the police, the suspect was arrested following sustained intelligence-driven and technology-based investigations into the abduction of the female officer.

The suspect allegedly led police operatives to the location where the remains of the kidnapped police officer were recovered.

The Force did not, however, disclose the identity of the officer, the circumstances surrounding her abduction or the cause of her death.

It also did not state how long the officer had been missing before her remains were recovered or whether additional suspects had been arrested in connection with the case.

The development represents a major breakthrough in the investigation into the officer’s disappearance, but police said the case remains under investigation.

The suspect is being treated as an alleged member of a kidnapping syndicate pending the conclusion of investigations and any subsequent court proceedings.

Police said the investigation was supported by intelligence gathering and technology, which eventually led operatives to the principal suspect.

Following the arrest, the suspect allegedly provided information that enabled investigators to locate the scene where the officer’s remains were recovered.

The circumstances surrounding the officer’s death are yet to be publicly established. Police have not disclosed whether the remains showed evidence of violence or whether a forensic examination has been conducted to determine the cause of death.

Investigators are expected to examine the recovered remains and other evidence as they work to establish what happened to the officer and determine whether other individuals were involved in her abduction and death.

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The Ebonyi case was included in a wider Nigeria Police Force operational report covering security operations across the country. The Force said its operations resulted in the arrest of 334 suspects and the rescue of kidnapped victims, alongside the recovery of firearms, ammunition and other exhibits in different states.

In another operation reported in Adamawa State, police said two kidnapped victims were rescued from a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Shako Forest, Toungo Local Government Area, while a suspect was arrested and allegedly provided information implicating five fleeing accomplices. (Primetimes)

The police said the various cases remain under investigation by the relevant State Criminal Investigation Departments (CID) and the CID at Force Headquarters in Abuja.

For the Ebonyi investigation, the immediate focus is expected to be on determining the circumstances of the officer’s abduction, identifying all those allegedly involved and establishing how and when she died.

The recovery also gives investigators an opportunity to gather further physical and forensic evidence that could help link suspects to the crime.

The police have not announced any further arrests in the case or disclosed whether any weapons, vehicles, communication devices or other exhibits were recovered during the operation.

The Force has increasingly emphasised intelligence-led policing, technology-assisted investigations and inter-agency cooperation in its response to kidnapping and other organised crimes.

The latest development in Ebonyi underscores the continuing security challenges faced by police personnel and other residents in areas affected by kidnapping and violent criminal activity.

While the arrest represents progress in the investigation, the police have yet to provide a full account of the circumstances leading to the officer’s death.

Further details are expected as investigators continue questioning the suspect and examining evidence recovered from the scene.

Until the investigation and any court proceedings are concluded, the suspect remains presumed innocent and allegations against him have not been established by a court.

Kidnapped Female Police Officer Found Dead in Ebonyi as Suspect Leads Police to Remains

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How Nigerians Can Get Federal High Court Affidavit Online Without Visiting Court

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8 hours ago

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September 21, 2026

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How Nigerians Can Get Federal High Court Affidavit Online Without Visiting Court
Federal High Court in Abuja

How Nigerians Can Get Federal High Court Affidavit Online Without Visiting Court

Nigerians can now apply for and obtain eligible Federal High Court affidavits online without necessarily visiting a court premises, through the court’s Electronic Court Management System (ECMS) e-Affidavit Portal.

The digital service allows applicants to create an account, complete an affidavit application, upload required documents, make payment and, after the application has been processed, download the completed electronic affidavit.

The Federal High Court of Nigeria introduced the e-Affidavit service as part of its efforts to make access to court services easier and reduce the need for physical visits for eligible affidavit applications.

The service covers several common affidavit needs, including change of name, correction of name, declaration of age, correction of date of birth, loss of documents, change of signature, next of kin, marriage-related declarations, banking matters and general-purpose affidavits.

However, applicants should note that the exact requirements and oath-taking procedure can vary depending on the type of affidavit and the relevant Federal High Court division.

How to Get a Federal High Court Affidavit Online

Applicants can follow these steps:

1. Create an account

Visit the official Federal High Court e-Affidavit portal and create an account.

Applicants will be required to provide basic personal information, including their name, telephone number, date of birth and email address, and create a password.

The email address and other details supplied should be accurate because they may be used for communication about the application.

2. Log in and complete your profile

After registration, log into the portal and complete the required applicant profile.

The system may request information including residential address, occupation, town, state and country of origin, gender, religion and date of birth.

Applicants should ensure that the information supplied is accurate and consistent with their identification documents.

3. Select the type of affidavit

Select the e-Affidavit option and choose the type of affidavit required.

Depending on the available categories, applicants may apply for documents relating to change of name, declaration of age, correction of date of birth, loss of documents, change of signature, next of kin, marriage, banking and other general declarations.

4. Select the Federal High Court division

Choose the appropriate Federal High Court division for the application.

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Applicants should take care when selecting the division because the relevant court location may affect how the application is processed and whether additional steps are required.

5. Complete the affidavit form

Fill in the electronic form with the information required for the particular affidavit.

For example, someone applying for an affidavit concerning correction of date of birth may be asked to provide the incorrect date, the correct date and the reason for the correction.

Applicants should ensure that names, dates and other details are correctly entered before moving to the next stage.

6. Upload the required documents

Upload the documents requested by the portal.

These may include a recent passport photograph, valid means of identification and signature, depending on the type of affidavit.

Acceptable identification may include documents such as a National Identification Number (NIN) document, international passport, driver’s licence or voter’s card, subject to the requirements displayed on the portal.

Applicants should ensure that uploaded files meet the portal’s size and format requirements.

7. Preview and check the application

Before submitting the application, use the preview function to carefully review all the information supplied.

Check the spelling of names, dates of birth, addresses, identification details, selected affidavit type and court division.

This stage is important because an error submitted on an affidavit application could affect the final document.

8. Accept the terms and submit

After reviewing the application, accept the relevant terms and conditions and provide the required consent for processing of personal information.

The application can then be submitted through the portal.

9. Pay the applicable fee

Proceed to payment after submitting the application.

The portal provides electronic payment options, including Paystack and Remita.

The applicable fee depends on the affidavit or service selected. Applicants should therefore rely on the amount displayed on the official portal at the time of application rather than unofficial fee figures circulating online.

The court’s portal states that payments are final, non-refundable and non-transferable.

10. Complete the oath-taking requirement

After payment, the application goes through the court’s processing and verification procedure.

Depending on the affidavit and the relevant court division, the applicant may be required to complete an oath-taking process.

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The Federal High Court’s information on the e-Affidavit system indicates that oath-taking arrangements can vary by division and may involve a virtual or physical process.

Applicants should therefore follow any specific instruction issued for their application rather than assume that every affidavit can be completed entirely online.

11. Monitor the application

Applicants should regularly check their account and registered email address for updates.

The court may query an application and request additional information or documents.

Where an application is queried, applicants are required to respond within the stipulated period. The portal indicates a 72-hour period for responding to queries.

Failure to respond or complete a required payment within the prescribed period may result in the application being deleted, requiring the applicant to start the process again.

12. Download the completed affidavit

Once the application has been approved and the affidavit completed, the applicant can download the electronic affidavit through the portal.

A copy is also sent to the applicant’s registered email address.

The electronically issued affidavit contains verification features, including a unique barcode and reference number, which can be used to confirm its authenticity.

Important Things Applicants Should Know

Applicants should carefully check their information before making payment because the court states that payments are not refundable or transferable.

They should also keep their application reference details and the electronic copy of the completed affidavit in a secure location.

An affidavit should not be altered after it has been issued. The court warns that falsifying, altering or misusing an affidavit is a criminal offence and may have legal consequences.

Applicants should also understand that an e-Affidavit does not automatically replace every affidavit required in a legal proceeding. Where an affidavit is being prepared for a specific court case or legal transaction, the applicant may need additional legal guidance.

Anyone uncertain about the appropriate affidavit, wording, supporting documents or court division should consider consulting a qualified legal practitioner before submitting the application.

The Federal High Court’s e-Affidavit platform is designed to make the process of obtaining eligible affidavits more convenient by allowing applicants to complete significant parts of the process electronically.

For applicants whose particular affidavit qualifies for the online service, the process can therefore be handled through the portal from registration and application to payment, processing and electronic retrieval, subject to any oath-taking or other requirement imposed by the relevant court division.

How Nigerians Can Get Federal High Court Affidavit Online Without Visiting Court

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