Rescued victims of human trafficking have recounted how they were lured from Nigeria with promises of jobs and a better life in Côte d’Ivoire, only to end up in forced labour, prostitution and s3xual exploitation. NigerianRelocation Services

The rescued victims include Monica, 17; Juliet, 18; Rejoice, 25; Joy, 22; Esther, and Monica, 38, who said traffickers exploited their desire for a better future with false promises of employment.

According to a statement issued on Thursday, July 23, 2026 by the founder of the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation, Prosper Michael, the victims were rescued in a joint operation involving the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and relevant authorities in Côte d’Ivoire.

Recounting her ordeal, Monica said she accepted a bakery job offer in Abuja before being taken through Lagos to Côte d’Ivoire.

“I informed my parents because I believed the offer was genuine. We later realised there were no jobs after we were locked in a room,” she said.

She added that the victims were instructed to tell anyone who contacted them that they were safe despite being forced to work.

“When I spoke to my mother, I started crying, and they immediately collected the phone from me. They kept deducting money from the little we earned without explaining why,” she said, adding that she and another victim eventually escaped with the help of local residents and contacted GAHTO.

Another survivor, Monica Tamah, said she travelled abroad hoping to provide for her family and fund her daughter’s education, only to be forced into prostitution.

“When we got there, we discovered there were no jobs. Instead, we were told we had been brought for prostitution and had to repay transportation debts through sex work,” she said, adding that she remained in captivity for about six months before she was rescued.

Monica claimed that she and other victims were forced to sleep with as many as 15 men daily.

“They made about 50,000 CFA francs every day from us, but we received little or nothing. I remained there for about six months before I was rescued,” she said.

GAHTO said its representative in Côte d’Ivoire carried out the rescue with support from local authorities and disclosed that three other victims from Benue State were rescued in a separate operation.

The organisation described the operations as a major breakthrough in its campaign against human trafficking and the protection of vulnerable Nigerians across West Africa. NigerianRelocation Services

“We urge Nigerians to verify overseas employment and migration offers through appropriate government channels, remain vigilant against suspicious recruiters and promptly report suspected trafficking cases to law enforcement agencies.

“We also call for stronger collaboration among governments, security agencies and international partners to dismantle trafficking networks, rescue victims and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice,” the statement added.

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A Louisiana pastor and author has been convicted of stealing over $340,000 from his congregations to fund his gambling and personal expenses.

Dale Sanders, 56, was found guilty of a 25-count indictment charging him with wire fraud, access device fraud, and obstruction of a federal investigation after a five-day jury trial last week, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Sanders, of Kenner, withdrew funds held in one church’s bank accounts and transferred them to his own pocket to subsidize his lavish personal expenditures — including gambling, dining, and living expenses, prosecutors said.

Sanders worked as a pastor at the Fifth African Baptist Church in New Orleans and Second New Guide Missionary Baptist Church in Metairie, according to his social media.

He also used a church debit card for unauthorized personal transactions and received cash, goods, and services totaling over $340,000, officials said.

The fraud took place between April 2020 and April 2024, according to an indictment.

The cash-obsessed pastor also provided a falsified record in response to a grand jury subpoena, prosecutors detailed.

After Sanders was indicted in April, he posted a video to his social media accounts asking his congregants to “pray” for his “enemy.”

He thanked churchgoers for “calling, texting, seeing me in person, and telling me that you’re praying for me.”

“And believe this,” Sanders said. “I feel your prayers. God is already working and moving by his Spirit.”

“This is what you can do for me … I know you’re praying for me. But I need you to pray a Matthew 5:44 prayer. I need you to pray for my enemy.”

“The Bible says, ‘Pray for them that despitefully use you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my namesake,” he continued. “If you pray for my enemy, God will not only bless me, but he will deal with them.”

The pastor frequently posted videos on social media delivering sermons and singing during his church services.

He also authored the book, “Strut your Stutter,” urging people to “be peacock proud of whoever you are and whatever you’re working with.”

Sanders faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release after serving time behind bars, and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count.

He is to be sentenced on Oct. 13.

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Troops of the 112 Task Force Battalion under Operation HADIN KAI, working alongside Hybrid Forces, have arrested five suspected terrorist logistics suppliers during a security operation in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to the military, the operation, which was conducted at about 1:30 p.m. on July 20, 2026, targeted a suspected logistics network believed to be supporting terrorist activities in the North-East.

According to the military, the suspects were intercepted while transporting 491 cartons of Albe Stark 2.5 per cent veterinary dewormer and 100 cartons of multivitamin injections for animals without the required waybills or supporting documentation.

The military said a subsequent search of the vehicles uncovered additional concealed medical supplies, including 32 cartons of Diclofenac Sodium Injection, 58 cartons of Benzylpenicillin Sodium BP, six cartons of Dexamethasone Injection, and 51 cartons of Metronidazole Intravenous Infusion.

Troops also recovered 30 units of 80-inch LG plasma televisions, 152 empty Bagco sacks, and seven mobile phones.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the consignment was earmarked for a vendor in N’Djamena, Chad, while part of the concealed medical supplies was to be transferred to another truck near the Nigeria-Chad border in what investigators believe was an attempt to evade security checks.

The military said the suspects have been handed over to the 24 Task Force Brigade for further investigation.

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