Human Trafficking Survivors Expose Abuses in Burkina Faso

Human Trafficking Survivors Expose Abuses in Burkina Faso

…as GAHTO Calls for Action Against Human Trafficking

By Naomi Onome

Two Nigerian women, Anita and Saviour Aloho, have recounted their harrowing experiences of being trafficked to Burkina Faso for sex work.

The victims, who were rescued by Prosper K.A., the founder of the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organization (GAHTO), an organisation that combats human trafficking, shared their stories of exploitation and abuse.

According to the victims, they were lured to Burkina Faso with promises of legitimate work but were instead forced into sex trafficking. They were subjected to physical and emotional abuse and were forced to work long hours to pay off debts of 1.6 million CFA francs.

The victims described the conditions they were kept in as inhumane, with inadequate food, no medical care, and constant threats of violence. They were forced to engage in sex work to survive and were beaten and tortured if they refused.

One of the victims, 22-year-old Saviour Aloho, said she was introduced to the traffickers unknowingly through a family member with the promise of a sales job in Lagos, Nigeria. She was then taken From Lagos to Benin still with promises of a sales girl job and then to Burkina Faso, where she was forced into sex work.

Anita, a 19-year-old, also recounted that she was sent to Lagos by a familiar neighbour who had recently given birth and needed help with hospital bills. She was accompanied by two others and was tasked with meeting a person who would provide the necessary funds. However, upon arrival, she discovered that the designated person was imprisoned and had referred her to a Mr Lucky, who she believed would provide the money. Instead, Mr Lucky orchestrated her abduction, and she was taken to Benin and then Burkina Faso, while the two individuals she came with were left behind.

The victims praised PROSPER K.A. of GAHTO for rescuing them and providing them with support and assistance. They urged others to be cautious of human trafficking and to seek help if they are in similar situations.

Prosper K. A. Michael, founder of the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organization (GAHTO), established in 2019, has dedicated over two decades to humanitarian service, focusing on the critical issue of human trafficking.

Despite operating without government funding and relying solely on private donations, GAHTO is committed to rescuing victims and aiding their rehabilitation and empowerment, emphasising the necessity of financial support for these missions.

Michael advocates for poverty eradication as a primary strategy to prevent trafficking, stressing the need for improved parent-child relationships to ensure children’s safety. He urges vigilance among parents to protect their children from traffickers.

Highlighting the organisation’s past efforts, Michael recounts the recent rescue of two victims, Anita and Saviour, from Burkina Faso, where they were held against their will. He condemns human trafficking as a crime against humanity and expresses gratitude to the Nigerian Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Ambassador Muhammad Galadima, for the embassy’s support in the repatriation process.

The Embassy has pledged collaboration with GAHTO to intensify the fight against human trafficking in Burkina Faso and West Africa, targeting areas notorious for sexual exploitation of young girls. Michael’s vision is to position GAHTO as the leading NGO in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria, advocating for partnerships and donor support to enhance their operations.

The report highlights the need for increased efforts to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.