Three Nigerian women have exposed how a human trafficking syndicate lured them with fake Malaysia jobs and forced them into sex slavery in Mali. The survivors, Bella Boluwatife, Linda Zainab, and Amoke Joy, shared their story and revealed how the trap started in Ogun State on February 17, 2026.
According to Bella, an agent identified as Peter Osas promised them legitimate work in Malaysia as bar attendants and housekeepers. He even arranged a video call with a woman called “Angel” who claimed to be their sponsor. Before the call, the girls were coached to answer “yes” to every question. The plan looked credible enough to convince their parents.
From Ogun State, the women were taken to the Seme border and moved into Cotonou, Benin Republic. There, their clothes were changed, new identities were issued, and passports were processed in less than an hour. They were told to lie about their origin if questioned. At that point, the journey stopped looking like travel and started looking like trafficking.
The group was then transported by road for six days through multiple checkpoints toward Mali. Bella said armed officers manned the checkpoints and money was exchanged to secure passage. She added that the driver spoke only French, and at one point they were nearly detained until a call was made. “We were not travellers, we were cargo,” she said.
When they arrived in Mali, the reality hit hard. Instead of houses, they found makeshift shelters in a bush filled with condoms and young girls, some as young as 13. That was when they knew it was not Malaysia. It was a brothel. The women were immediately forced into sex work and told each of them owed 1.5 million CFA francs before they could regain freedom.
The victims said rescue only came through coordinated intervention by authorities and anti-trafficking groups after their families raised the alarm. Their story adds to a long pattern of Nigerian women being trafficked to Mali under false promises of overseas jobs.
Anti-trafficking groups warn that traffickers now use Malaysia and other Asian countries as bait because Europe routes have become riskier. They urge young Nigerians to verify job offers abroad through NAPTIP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before travelling.
