A Makurdi court has ordered the detention of Christiana Tengu Tsavkaha after she was charged with allegedly luring 13 young girls out of Nigeria under the guise of better opportunities, only to sell them into prostitution in Ghana.
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A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, has ordered the remand of a woman identified as Christiana Tengu Tsavkaha in Yaikyor Prisons following allegations of human trafficking involving 13 young girls.
The police formally charged Tsavkaha with the heinous crime of allegedly recruiting and transporting the victims across the border to Ghana, where they were reportedly forced into prostitution.
What We Know So Far
The case, which has sent shockwaves through the Benue community, highlights the disturbing reality of human trafficking that continues to plague many parts of Nigeria. The accused allegedly exploited the vulnerability of her victims — many of whom may have been lured with promises of legitimate employment or a better life abroad — only to deliver them into sexual exploitation in a foreign country.
The presiding Chief Magistrate ordered that Tsavkaha be remanded in custody at Yaikyor Prisons as the case awaits further hearing.
Human Trafficking: A Persistent Plague on Nigerian Society
Nigeria remains one of the countries most severely affected by human trafficking in Africa. Young women and girls from states like Benue, Edo, Delta, and Anambra are frequently targeted by traffickers who prey on economic desperation and the dream of a better life outside Nigeria.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has repeatedly warned Nigerians — especially parents and guardians — to be vigilant about strangers or acquaintances who offer suspiciously attractive opportunities abroad for their children.
A Wake-Up Call for Benue Communities
This case is a stark reminder that traffickers are not always strangers. They are sometimes people known within the community — neighbours, distant relatives, or even trusted figures — who exploit that familiarity to gain access to victims.
Community leaders, parents, and local authorities in Benue and across Nigeria are being urged to:
– Report suspicious recruitment activities to the police or NAPTIP immediately
– Educate young people about the dangers of accepting job offers abroad from unverified sources
– Verify all travel arrangements made on behalf of children or young women by third parties
Got a Tip?
If you have information about suspected human trafficking activity in your community, contact NAPTIP’s toll-free line: 0800-NAPTIP-0 (0800-627847-0) or report to your nearest police station.
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This case is still ongoing. We will bring you updates as the court proceedings continue.
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