Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — A woman from Kaduna State has made a desperate plea for help from Nigerians and online advocates after claiming she was deceived into irregular migration and forced into prostitution in Libya, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by Nigerian migrants lured abroad with false promises of legitimate work. The woman’s appeal, shared widely on social media and addressed directly to bloggers and activists, resonates against the backdrop of a broader national and regional human trafficking crisis.
In her plea, the Kaduna native said she was told she was being taken to Libya for legitimate employment, but upon reaching the North African country she was coerced into prostitution — a grim fate she said was never disclosed by the man who arranged her travel. “He told me I was going to Libya to work; he never told me it was prostitution!” she wrote, appealing for assistance in returning to Nigeria and for public figures such as social media influencer VeryDarkMan to amplify her call for help.
Her statement reflects the perilous reality many Nigerians face when seeking opportunities abroad through irregular channels. Human trafficking networks often recruit would‑be migrants with promises of well‑paid jobs, only to subject them to sexual exploitation, forced labour and modern‑day slavery once they arrive in transit countries like Libya.
Libya has long been a hotspot for trafficking and exploitation, particularly of women and girls from West Africa. United Nations and migration agency reports reveal that sub‑Saharan migrants travelling to Libya are especially vulnerable to abuse by traffickers and armed groups who operate brothels, detention centres and exploitative labour schemes. Victims are frequently held against their will and coerced into prostitution or other forms of servitude.
The issue has drawn attention from Nigerian lawmakers and anti‑trafficking advocates. In October 2025, the Nigerian Senate urged the federal government to intensify diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to rescue women and children detained or trapped in Libyan prisons after being trafficked or exploited abroad, noting that many had been deceived by job offers that turned into exploitation or slavery.
Civil society groups also regularly warn about the deceptive recruitment tactics used by traffickers. Promises of employment in salons, domestic work or other legitimate sectors are common recruitment ploys; once victims are abroad, they are often forced into sexual exploitation or debt bondage. Such experiences can mirror those reported by survivors who managed to escape or were later repatriated, underscoring the complexities of trafficking networks.
The Kaduna woman’s cry for help underscores the urgent need for coordinated action by Nigerian authorities, community leaders and international partners to prevent trafficking and assist victims. Key agencies such as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) work to combat trafficking, facilitate repatriation and provide reintegration support for returnees, but challenges remain in identifying victims abroad and facilitating safe returns.
Online influencers and bloggers who highlight trafficking cases have played a growing role in raising awareness and pressuring authorities to act, as exemplified by high‑profile repatriation efforts for trafficked girls supported by public figures and civil society in recent years.
As her appeal gains traction on social media, the woman’s situation serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of irregular migration and trafficking. Advocates say enhanced public education, stronger enforcement of anti‑trafficking laws, and expanded support services for vulnerable populations are crucial to preventing similar tragedies and ensuring that those already trapped in exploitation can find a path back to safety and dignity.
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