56 Underage Victims Freed in Massive West Africa Human Trafficking Raids
Operation Priscas Targets Exploitation Across West Africa
Between December 5 and 12, Operation Priscas struck a major blow against human trafficking in West Africa. Authorities rescued 56 underage victims forced into sexual exploitation and brutal labour in gold mines, markets, and homes. Social services and NGOs swooped in to provide vital care and support post-arrest, ensuring these vulnerable children weren’t left behind.
High-Stakes Busts in Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso
In Côte d’Ivoire, dramatic raids and road checks led to the arrest of two suspects behind a notorious sex trafficking ring. The pair, wanted nationally for two years, had tried to hide among a group of 35 victims—eight minors included—but were nailed when officers cross-checked their IDs with Interpol’s WAPIS database.
Meanwhile, Burkina Faso’s vehicle profiling tipped off authorities to 10 children heading to an illegal gold mine. With no IDs, the youngsters were rescued, and their employer was promptly arrested. The investigation is still heating up.
Market Raids and Cross-Border Sting in Benin and Togo
- In Benin, four children were pulled from forced labour at the sprawling Dantokpa market in Cotonou—the largest open-air market in West Africa.
- Up north in Togo, a Nigerian woman was caught travelling to Mali with five victims, including three minors. Though recruited as hair salon workers, phone records revealed plans to traffic them into sex clubs. The case now lies with the Central Directorate of Judicial Police for a full probe.
Interpol Leads the Charge with Cutting-Edge Tech
Interpol’s Command and Coordination Centre sent an expert to the West Africa Regional Bureau in Abidjan, overseeing over 202,000 instant database checks. Their Human Trafficking Expert Group was on hand to tackle sensitive cases with precision, while upcoming Blue Notices will hunt additional suspects identified during the raids.
“As countries and officers cooperate, making the most of our systems and global network, we see the net widening and more criminals identified,” said Jürgen Stock, Interpol’s Secretary General. “Victims of all ages are safeguarded, and suspects are forced to face justice for the harm they have caused. This is the very essence of INTERPOL. We remain committed because the work does not stop here.”
Operation Priscas is named after a young girl rescued in 2015 during Interpol’s Operation Akoma. Today, she’s thriving—a symbol of hope amid this dark battle against trafficking.
