Chika Obiakaeze, a young woman from Anambra State, has courageously shared her traumatic experience of being trafficked to Libya for exploitation by an individual she met on social media.
Originally pursuing her dreams in a fashion school in Nigeria, Chika’s aspirations were manipulated when a person she connected with online offered her a job opportunity abroad. Promised a decent income and the chance to work with foreigners, Chika saw this as a promising prospect.
However, the reality was far from what was promised. Upon reaching out to the individual’s contact in Libya, who was supposed to assist her with accommodation and employment, Chika found herself trapped in a situation of exploitation and abuse.
Recalling her initial conversations with the trafficker, Chika stated, “I thought that he just wanted to help me, I thought it was legit.”
With a history of personal struggles and familial challenges, Chika’s vulnerability was exploited as she embarked on the perilous journey to Libya, unaware of the dangers ahead. Crossing the treacherous Sahara Desert alongside numerous other individuals, their journey was fraught with fear and uncertainty.
Upon arriving in Libya, Chika’s hopes were shattered when she realized the true nature of the job she was coerced into – exploitation and prostitution. Facing threats and coercion from her trafficker, she endured a month in a situation of exploitation before summoning the courage to escape.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Chika bravely shared, “I was afraid but accepted. Then she took me to a prostitution house where I stayed for a month. I saved a little money and got a phone for myself without her knowing.”
Through a stroke of luck and assistance from another contact, Chika managed to break free from the cycle of exploitation. However, her ordeal didn’t end there, as she encountered further exploitation and non-payment of wages in subsequent employment.
Now stranded in Libya, Chika’s plea for help underscores the urgent need for action to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to exploitation. Her story serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive threat of trafficking, fueled by deception and vulnerability.
Chika’s bravery in sharing her story highlights the importance of raising awareness and taking concrete steps to prevent human trafficking and support survivors. It is imperative that communities, governments, and international organizations work together to eradicate this heinous crime and ensure justice for victims like Chika.
