Chika Obiakaeze, a 21-year-old lady from Anambra State, has shared a disturbing account of how she was trafficked to Libya and forced into prostitution by a male friend she met on Facebook.
Enrolled in a fashion school in Nigeria, Chika’s aspirations took a tragic turn when the said friend offered to help her secure employment as a domestic helper in Libya, promising good pay and the prospect of working for foreign expatriates.
Chika, desperate for a better life, was lured by the offer and agreed to the plan. The friend introduced her to his sister, who was based in Libya and would allegedly assist her with accommodation and the job upon arrival.
Recounting her ordeal, Chika said the journey through the Sahara Desert was harrowing, with the traffickers subjecting her and other victims to inhumane conditions. They were cramped in vehicles, deprived of food and water, and forced to trek for hours to avoid the police.
Upon reaching Libya, Chika’s nightmare worsened. She was almost forced into prostitution by her benefactor, who demanded that she pay 1.5 million Naira yearly by having sex with foreign expatriates. Chika resisted the demand, but her benefactor threatened to use “juju” (fetish charm) against her.
Chika was then taken to a prostitution house where she was forced to stay for a month. Terrified and desperate, she managed to save some money and escape with the help of another friend she had met on Facebook.
However, Chika’s ordeal did not end there. She was later exploited by another employer who refused to pay her salary, leaving her stranded and struggling to survive in the foreign country.
Chika has appealed to the Nigerian embassy in Libya to assist her in returning to Nigeria, as she fears for her life and is tired of being trapped in the country. She has expressed a desire to end her life, highlighting the desperation and trauma she has endured.
Chika’s harrowing story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of human trafficking and the need for stronger measures to protect vulnerable individuals from such exploitation. Her case underscores the importance of raising awareness, providing support, and cracking down on the criminal networks that prey on the dreams and aspirations of unsuspecting individuals.
