In a significant operation, four girls from Okene Local Government Area in Kogi State, Nigeria, have been rescued from a human trafficking ring in Morila, Mali. This operation was carried out by the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation (GAHTO) in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). The rescue, announced on November 2, 2026, highlights the ongoing issue of human trafficking in the region.

The victims, who were promised jobs in gold mining and retail, found themselves forced into prostitution upon arrival in Mali. Among them is a 14-year-old girl, whose involvement has raised serious concerns about child trafficking. Prosper Michael, the founder of GAHTO, revealed that the rescue was initiated after one of the girls sent a distress message via WhatsApp, utilizing artificial intelligence to seek help.

Geoffrey, the Head of Operations at NAPTIP's Uyo Command, received the distress alert and contacted Michael for assistance. Michael then coordinated with a Nigerian community leader in Mali to facilitate the girls' safe return. One of the victims, 23-year-old Sekinat, recounted her harrowing experience, stating that she was misled by a family friend who promised her a legitimate job. Upon arrival, her phone and identification were confiscated, and she was coerced into prostitution.

Sekinat detailed the threats made by her trafficker, who allegedly collected CFA2.5 million for their journey but instructed the girls to misrepresent the cost to authorities. After a failed attempt to reach out to a Nigerian Army officer, the victims managed to obtain a hidden phone and used AI to find Geoffrey's contact information. In her message, she pleaded for help, stating, "I am a Nigerian girl, trapped in Mali. My madam seized my passport and asked me to go and be doing hook-up. Please, our life is in danger."

Geoffrey expressed his distress upon learning that a minor was among the victims, emphasizing the severity of child abuse in such situations. He stated, "How can he send a child of 14 years? Irrespective of the work she wants to go and do there, it is abuse. It is child abuse." Michael echoed these sentiments, calling the prevalence of human trafficking alarming and stressing the need for continued support for victims.

Following the rescue, the team has urged Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Kogi State government to provide medical care, counseling, and educational support for the survivors. Authorities have also been called upon to investigate the trafficking network and hold those responsible accountable. Currently, the four girls are receiving care and rehabilitation as they begin to recover from their traumatic experiences.