Nigerian human trafficker sentenced to 12 years in Côte d’Ivoire

October 30, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

A Nigerian woman, Sandra Okon from Akwa Ibom, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Boundiali Court in Côte d’Ivoire for sex trafficking.

This verdict comes as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) successfully rescued four young girls from Akwa Ibom State who were trafficked to Mali for sexual exploitation.

The rescue operation was a collaborative effort between NAPTIP and the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation (GAHTO), based in Mali.

NAPTIP’s Uyo Zonal Commander, Mr. Emmanuel Awhen, shared the challenges authorities face in tracking cross-border human trafficking networks during a press briefing in Uyo.

“These young women endured serious hardship, but thanks to the swift intervention of NAPTIP and GAHTO, they are now safe and receiving the necessary support and counselling to help them reintegrate into society,” Awhen stated.

Meanwhile, Nigerian human trafficker, Sandra Okon was sentenced to 12 years in prison last month by the Boundiali Court in Côte d’Ivoire.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Awhen stated the girls were fortunate because one of them had the contact number of a NAPTIP official. She managed to use someone’s phone to reach the officer, alerting them to their situation in Mali.

“Acting on this information, we launched an operation with the support of GAHTO to rescue the girls and reunite them with their families in Akwa Ibom,” he explained.

“They had been misled and trafficked to Mali under the pretense of working in a supermarket and salon but ended up subjected to forced labor and sexual exploitation. Thankfully, one of the girls had our number and called using another person’s phone.”

“She also sent multiple voice notes, which helped us coordinate with our international partners to secure their safe return to Akwa Ibom,” Awhen added.

Côte d’Ivoire is a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking, with victims subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking.

The country has taken steps to combat trafficking, including passing a comprehensive anti-trafficking law in 2016.

The Nigerian Government has also made efforts to address human trafficking, including partnering with international organizations to rescue victims and prosecute traffickers.