IRRUA — A young woman and her family are living in constant terror following persistent death threats from a human trafficking ringleader based in Europe.
The victim, Akisin Blessing, was reportedly lured into a brutal prostitution ring under the guise of a fashion design job, only to be subjected to forced labor, severe beatings, and ritualistic coercion.
Speaking to our reporter, a distraught family member, Charles Ighodalo, revealed that Blessing’s nightmare began when she was promised a better life abroad. Eager to lift her impoverished family out of poverty, she accepted a travel sponsorship to Europe, believing she would be working in the fashion industry.
However, before leaving Nigeria, Blessing was forced to undergo various traditional rituals and swear oaths to local idols, binding her to a staggering €40,000 “debt” demanded by her sponsor, a woman identified simply as “Madam Gift.”
”She was completely tricked,” Ighodalo said. “She thought she was going to better her life, but on getting to Europe, ln late 2016, she was immediately forced into prostitution.”
Upon her arrival in Europe, Blessing’s exploitation intensified. She was initially handed over to an associate of Madam Gift to clear a secondary €5,000 debt before she was even allowed to begin paying off the main €40,000 demand.
According to family sources, Blessing’s situation took a darker turn when she became pregnant. Madam Gift reportedly ordered her to terminate the pregnancy. When Blessing refused, the physical abuse escalated.
”She was beaten and humiliated, but they still forced her to work through the pregnancy,” the source revealed. “Just three months after giving birth, she was forced back onto the streets to continue sleeping with men.”
The horror reached a breaking point when Blessing became pregnant a second time. Once again, she resisted orders to abort the child. In retaliation, Madam Gift allegedly threatened to kill the father of the baby, forcing him evict Blessing and the baby from his home out of fear for his life.
The syndicate’s reach has since extended back to Nigeria. Family members report that Blessing’s parents were recently tracked down, arrested under dubious circumstances, and subjected to dehumanizing treatment.
Armed men have invaded their family home in Ibore, Esan Central Local Government Area Edo State on several occasions, the latest was this October 2024, when the family was harass and humiliated, before her parents were arrested.
The Ighodalo family has issued an urgent cry for help, stating that Madam Gift has vowed to completely “deal with” Blessing and anyone associated with her until the remaining balance of the blood money is paid.
The family is currently living in hiding, fearing that the traffickers will carry out their death threats.
