Pregnant Woman Arrested for Human Trafficking: Shocking Details of Ghana Prostitution Ring Exposed

 

Human trafficking remains a devastating scourge in West Africa, often hiding behind the facade of "better opportunities" and "lucrative employment." In a chilling recent development, the Plateau State Government has uncovered a syndicate operating right under the noses of local residents. The arrest of a pregnant bar owner in Jos has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the deceptive and ritualistic methods used to exploit vulnerable young women.

​This article explores the details of the arrest, the rescue of the victims, and the broader implications of human trafficking in Nigeria.

​The Arrest: A Pregnant Suspect and the Rantiya Bar Front

​On Thursday, February 19, 2026, the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission (SGEOC) paraded a suspect identified as Mrs. Yakubu. What made the case particularly striking was the suspect’s condition—she is heavily pregnant.

​Mrs. Yakubu, who operates a popular bar in the Rantiya area of Jos South Local Government Area, stands accused of orchestrating the trafficking of young girls from Plateau and Adamawa states to Ghana. Alongside her, another female accomplice was apprehended, marking a significant breakthrough for local law enforcement and gender rights advocates.

​The Victims’ Ordeal: From Job Promises to Prostitution

​The victims—identified as Humata Ilya, Sendy Emmanuel, and Dorathy Yakubu—are aged between 18 and 19. Like many victims of modern-day slavery, they were lured by the promise of financial stability. Mrs. Yakubu allegedly convinced them that lucrative jobs awaited them in Ghana, a common destination for labor migration in West Africa.

​However, upon arriving in Ghana, the reality was grim. Instead of the promised employment, the girls were forced into prostitution. The SGEOC revealed that the traffickers collected "blood money" from the girls' forced labor, profiting directly from their exploitation.

​Rituals and Oaths: The Dark Side of Trafficking

​One of the most disturbing aspects of this case is the use of psychological and spiritual coercion. The victims confessed that before leaving for Ghana, they were forced to undergo rituals and swear an oath of secrecy.

​This is a common tactic used by Nigerian trafficking syndicates to ensure that victims do not escape or report their captors to the authorities. The fear of "spiritual consequences" often keeps these young women in bondage long after they realize they have been deceived.

​The Rescue Operation and Repatriation

​The Chairperson of the SGEOC, Olivia Dazyam, briefed journalists on the collaborative effort that led to the girls' safety. Following a tip-off, the Commission worked closely with security agencies and international counterparts to track the girls down in Ghana.

​"At the State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, we received information about a woman that caused the movement of two girls from Plateau State to Ghana. God helped the two girls, and they were able to get back to Jos with the help of the security agencies," Dazyam stated.

​The successful repatriation of these victims serves as a rare glimmer of hope in the fight against human trafficking, though many others remain missing or trapped in similar situations.

​The Suspect’s Defense: "Helping the Girls"

​When interviewed by newsmen, Mrs. Yakubu expressed regret but offered a defense that many find hard to believe. She claimed she was merely trying to help the girls secure a better life, similar to her own daughter who is currently living in Ghana.

​However, when pressed by journalists about the nature of her daughter's work in Ghana, Mrs. Yakubu refused to provide specifics. This evasiveness, coupled with the victims' testimonies of forced prostitution, casts a heavy shadow of doubt on her claims of "benevolence."

​Human Trafficking Statistics in Nigeria

​Nigeria is a country of origin, transit, and destination for human trafficking. According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), thousands of Nigerians are trafficked annually.

• ​Internal Trafficking: Often involves moving children from rural areas to cities for domestic labor or street hawking.
• ​External Trafficking: Frequently involves moving young adults to Europe (via Libya) or other West African countries like Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire for sexual exploitation.