A recent Facebook post by Benue-based activist Zege’Orkwande Sughnen Yaaya has shed light on the often-overlooked issue of human trafficking targeting Nigerian men, particularly from Benue State. In the post, Yaaya emphasizes that human trafficking extends far beyond the exploitation of women in prostitution, with men facing equally or even more severe ordeals in forced online criminal activities.
According to the activist, through collaborative efforts with the Ghana Police Service and Immigration authorities last year, many Nigerians, including several from Benue, were successfully rescued from captivity. Victims were reportedly lured abroad with false promises of legitimate blogging opportunities in Ghana or Ethiopia. Instead, they were subjected to extreme torture and coerced into running online scams commonly known as “yahoo” operations to generate money for their captors.
The conditions described are harrowing. Victims faced unrealistic targets of producing between 150 and 200 million naira to secure their freedom. Basic human needs were severely neglected: many received only one meal per day, were allowed to use the toilet just twice a week, and slept for a mere two hours daily. Some were forced into degrading acts, including sexual exploitation described as “sleeping with one another through anus as yahoo packages.” Those who failed to meet productivity demands endured serious beatings and risked being sold to other camps.
Yaaya noted that similar trafficking operations are known to exist within Benue State itself, though authorities are awaiting the appropriate time to act. He expressed openness to addressing such cases and providing assistance where possible, urging anyone who encounters related issues to reach out. The post was copied to the Benue State Police Command in Makurdi and the Benue State Government’s NAPTIP office in Nigeria.
This account highlights the growing complexity of human trafficking networks in West Africa, where economic desperation and deceptive job offers continue to ensnare vulnerable young men. As awareness grows, calls for stronger cross-border cooperation and local vigilance are likely to intensify to combat these exploitative practices.
