Trafficked Nigerian Woman Dies in Mali, Activist Appeals for Family to Come Forward

Trafficked Nigerian Woman Dies in Mali, Activist Appeals for Family to Come Forward.

A young Nigerian woman who was reportedly trafficked to Mali has died, with the circumstances surrounding her death still unclear. An anti-trafficking activist has appealed to the public for help in identifying her relatives.

The woman, identified only as Ngufan, was said to be from Benue State. News of her death was shared by Zege Orkwande, an activist who has been involved in efforts to rescue young women from Benue who have been trafficked to other African countries for prostitution . He posted the information on his Facebook page on Sunday, June 21, 2026, stating, “Another Benue sister (Tiv) died in Mali today”.

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In his post, Orkwande included photographs of the deceased and appealed to anyone who might be related to her or have information about her family to come forward . The goal is to officially identify her and notify her next of kin . As of now, no official confirmation has been provided by Nigerian or Malian authorities regarding the details of her death.

This tragic case is part of a larger, ongoing issue of human trafficking that affects vulnerable young people, especially from states like Benue. Traffickers often lure victims with false promises of jobs and better opportunities abroad, only to force them into exploitative conditions.

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Reports indicate that human trafficking networks continue to operate across West Africa, with Mali being a known destination . Recently, Orkwande’s work has brought other cases to light. Just this past week, 23 young girls were intercepted in Lagos while reportedly on their way to Mali . Several were returned to Makurdi, the Benue State capital, for care.

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The death of Ngufan serves as a reminder of the dangers these networks create and the urgent need for stronger action to combat trafficking and protect those at risk.

Trafficked Nigerian Woman Dies in Mali, Activist Appeals for Family to Come Forward.