A Nigerian woman has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for sex trafficking in Ivory Coast.

Nigerian woman sentenced to 12 years in Ivory Coast for sex trafficking after rescue of four girls

Nigerian woman Sandra Okon from Akwa Ibom State has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Bundiali Court in Cote d’Ivoire for sex trafficking.

The verdict comes after four young Nigerian girls trafficked into Mali on false promises of legitimate work were successfully rescued.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in collaboration with the Mali-based Global Anti-Trafficking Organization (GAHTO), coordinated the operation that resulted in the safe recovery of the young women.

Emmanuel Aven, Zonal Commander of NAPTIP Uyo, revealed the details at a press briefing in Uyo, highlighting the challenges of dismantling cross-border human trafficking networks.

“These young women have endured significant hardships, but thanks to the rapid intervention of NAPTIP and GAHTO, they are now safe and receiving the necessary support to reintegrate into society,” Aven said.

He explained that the girls were misled by traffickers who lured them under the guise of working in supermarkets and beauty salons, but instead forced them into sexual exploitation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the operation was launched when one of the girls managed to contact a NAPTIP official using someone else’s phone, detailing her situation and sending voice notes that allowed rescue efforts to be coordinated with international partners.

The rescued girls said more than 50 young Nigerian women are still in a similar situation in Mali, forced into prostitution.

In response, Awen urged parents and guardians to be wary of persons offering employment opportunities abroad and called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to provide stronger support in the fight against human trafficking.