16-Year-Old Recounts Trafficking Nightmare After Alleged Job Scam to Ghana
A 16-year-old child has alleged she was trafficked from Nigeria to Ghana through a fake job offer. The Lagos State Police Command has opened an investigation into the case.
According to her account, a neighbour promised her overseas employment. However, the child said she was not told the real purpose of the trip.
She alleged that she travelled through Ogun State and Ibadan before crossing into Ghana by boat in February 2026. She also said she was instructed not to tell her family about the journey.
After arriving in Ghana, she claimed she was forced into exploitation. She further stated that she was unable to contact her relatives during the period.
The child said she stayed in Ghana for several months before returning to Nigeria on May 27, 2026. She described the experience as traumatic and prolonged.
Meanwhile, the case came to light after a resident raised an alarm. A community security operative later alerted the police.
Acting on the information, officers visited a suspected residence in Lagos. There, they met a relative of the alleged suspect and another child who was reportedly being prepared for a similar trip.
The Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command confirmed that investigations are ongoing. Officials said efforts are underway to track those involved in the alleged trafficking network.
Child protection advocates have raised concerns about the growing use of fake job offers to lure children. They urged stronger monitoring, faster enforcement, and improved awareness at community level.
They also stressed the need for better protection systems to reduce the risk of cross-border trafficking. According to them, children remain highly vulnerable to deceptive recruitment tactics.
