Nigerian Woman with Disability Rescued from Trafficking in Mali

A 22-year-old Nigerian woman, Njoku Nnena, who has a physical disability, has been freed after being trafficked to Mali for the purpose of prostitution.

The Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation (GAHTO) shared the information through a statement from its founder, Prosper Michael, on Monday, April 6, 2026, as reported by Punch News.

In interviews, Nnena disclosed that her quest for better opportunities stemmed from economic difficulties and family obligations that compelled her to look for work outside her native region.

Her odyssey began in Onitsha before she moved to Lagos, where she encountered individuals who connected her with traffickers.

"I wanted to provide for my three-year-old son and support my mother. This was why I made the decision to travel," she stated during her interview.

"In Lagos, I met a woman near an underpass who helped pave the way for my journey," she recounted.

Nnena was then taken through Cotonou, Benin Republic, eventually arriving in Mali, where she was entrusted to another member of the trafficking syndicate.

Upon reaching Mali, she was detained in a residence alongside other Nigerian girls under the authority of a woman referred to as a 'madam.'

"We were coerced into sexual exploitation and instructed to send money to them, although the terms were unclear to us," she alleged.

Her plight was exacerbated by her health condition.

Nnena, who suffers from epilepsy caused by a childhood stroke, mentioned that she ran out of her medication during the trip.

"I didn’t have my medication with me, and my health deteriorated. I couldn’t comply with their demands," she said.

Eventually, she was returned to Nigeria and successfully rescued with the assistance of GAHTO, arriving back on Easter Friday.

Her mother, Ipe Ikenna Lora, spoke about her daughter’s ongoing health issues during a conversation about the rescue.

"She began experiencing convulsions at the age of two, which resulted in a coma and later developed into epilepsy, causing memory loss," Lora shared.

The situation has severely affected Lora's life, contributing to the dissolution of her marriage.

"My husband departed, blaming me for her condition. Since that time, I have been the sole caregiver while managing a small business," she added.

Lora noted that caring for her daughter has negatively impacted her own health, leading to high blood pressure, and remarked that Nnena’s condition occasionally causes her to wander away from home.

"I didn’t even realize she had traveled to Mali until GAHTO reached out to inform me of her rescue," she revealed.

Nnena has called for assistance to rebuild her life.

"I aim to return to school or acquire a skill to support myself. I also require medical treatment to manage my condition," she stated.

Her mother also reached out to government bodies and compassionate individuals for help.

"I’m seeking assistance so my daughter can achieve a stable life once again," she expressed.

In light of this incident, GAHTO has raised alarms about the increasing numbers of human trafficking cases involving young women in Nigeria.

The organization highlighted that this latest incident illustrates a troubling trend of trafficking throughout West Africa, particularly targeting vulnerable young women burdened by economic hardships and health issues.

"This case is not an isolated incident; it reveals a growing concern with trafficking in the region," the organization noted.

GAHTO has particularly urged key stakeholders, including Chioma D. Uzodinma and Nkechinyere Ugwu, to act swiftly and collaboratively.

It has also underscored the importance of raising public awareness, establishing robust preventive measures, and creating sustainable rehabilitation programs for survivors.

"This situation highlights the urgent necessity of collective efforts to combat human trafficking and aid victims in rebuilding their lives with dignity and hope," the organization concluded.

GAHTO has therefore called on government authorities to promptly introduce support initiatives aimed at rehabilitating victims and preventing future incidents.