A Nigerian woman, who was trafficked to Iraq and subjected to inhumane treatment, is set to return to her home country after enduring months of abuse and forced labor.
The woman, identified as 26-year-old Okafor, was allegedly lured to Iraq with promises of employment, only to find herself trapped in a situation of severe exploitation.
According to reports, Okafor was forced to work up to 20 hours a day without pay, confined to a restrictive environment, and denied basic rights. Her plight was uncovered in a recent investigation by SaharaReporters, which revealed the extent of her mistreatment.
The Nigerian government, in collaboration with international human rights organizations, has intervened to facilitate her repatriation. Okafor is scheduled to return to Nigeria on Friday, where she will be reunited with her family and offered support to recover from the traumatic experience.
“I am finally coming home,” Okafor shared in a statement from Iraq, expressing gratitude for the intervention that led to her release. “I want to warn other young women not to fall for false promises of work abroad. No one deserves what I went through.”
This case has shed light on the ongoing issue of human trafficking in Nigeria, where women and children are vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers. Many Nigerian women, seeking employment abroad, are tricked into dangerous situations by deceptive promises of well-paid work.
The Nigerian government has pledged to take stronger measures to combat human trafficking. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), led by Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has ramped up efforts to fight trafficking and raise awareness. In a statement, Mrs. Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasized, “We are working tirelessly to ensure that this woman, and others like her, are brought back to safety. We will continue to collaborate with global partners to strengthen our efforts in combatting trafficking in persons.”
As Okafor prepares to return home, her story serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for stronger protections against the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
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