For several of the young women rescued during a recent raid on a hotel in Onitsha, Anambra State, freedom came with devastating news: four of them were diagnosed with HIV.
The victims were among 17 people rescued by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) after an intelligence-led operation at a hotel in the 33 Area of Onitsha. Six suspects were arrested during the coordinated raid, which was carried out with the support of military personnel.
According to NAPTIP, the HIV-positive victims are now receiving counselling and medical care, with support from volunteers of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA). Officials say the diagnoses have further exposed the extent of abuse and neglect the victims endured while in captivity.
“These young women were not only trafficked and exploited, but they were also denied basic healthcare even when their lives were at risk,” NAPTIP said, describing the situation as a grave violation of human rights.
The raid followed credible intelligence from a non-state actor who raised concerns about the presence of underage girls at the hotel and their worsening health conditions. After counselling, the victims consented to medical screening, which led to the discovery of the HIV cases.
Investigations revealed that the victims were recruited from Benue, Imo, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom states with promises of legitimate jobs. Instead, they were trafficked to Onitsha and forced into prostitution. They told investigators they were required to hand over between ₦20,000 and ₦25,000 daily to their handler, known as their “Madam.”
One victim recounted that after she tested positive for HIV, her handler seized the medication provided and physically assaulted her for attempting to access treatment. Another said she lived in constant fear, unsure whether she would survive the exploitation or the illness she had contracted.
Residents of the area had reportedly raised repeated alarms over suspicious activities at the hotel, which has about 45 rooms and was allegedly known for the frequent presence of men engaging with underage girls.
Reacting to the development, NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Bello, expressed deep concern over the victims’ ordeal, particularly those battling HIV. She described the denial of medical care as a criminal act and confirmed that a manhunt had been launched for the fleeing handler.
“These victims have suffered multiple layers of abuse, trafficking, sexual exploitation, and now serious health challenges,” Bello said. She commended the military and the Gender and Human Rights State Response Team domiciled at ANSACA for their swift response and collaboration.
Bello also disclosed that the owner of the hotel has been invited for questioning as investigations continue, reaffirming NAPTIP’s resolve to intensify its fight against human trafficking.
She warned that 2026 would be a “very difficult year” for traffickers, stressing that the agency would continue to prioritise the rescue, rehabilitation and medical care of victims whose lives have been permanently altered by the crime.
