iiziegbe ogbeide
Human trafficking survivor Izzy Ogbeide has shared a painful account of how she was trafficked from Benin City to Italy as a young girl, exposing the harsh realities many Nigerian victims face abroad.
She revealed that her age and name were changed during the process, forcing her to live under a false identity. According to her, she has since reclaimed her real name and identity, while many victims still struggle to do the same.
Ogbeide explained that the trafficking process began with promises of a better life in Europe. Recruiters, often operating within the community, approached her with assurances of good jobs and financial opportunities abroad.
She disclosed that the trafficking was not pioneered by a single individual but carried out by an organised network of traffickers, including local agents who identified and recruited young girls, and foreign-based handlers who received them in Europe.
According to her account, these groups worked together to move victims across borders, control their identities, and subject them to exploitation upon arrival.
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After leaving Nigeria, she was moved through this network, which handled her travel documents and transportation. Along the journey, her identity was altered, and she was warned not to question instructions.
Upon arrival in Italy, she was handed over to another set of handlers who immediately placed her under strict control, where the reality of exploitation became clear.
She further revealed that her parents were aware she was travelling abroad but did not fully understand the situation. She described the decision as rooted in cultural beliefs where families see sending daughters overseas as an opportunity for financial gain.
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However, she criticised the practice, calling it dangerous and irresponsible.
In a rare moment of accountability, she said her father later apologised for his role in her trafficking, while her mother avoided conversations about her experiences.
Ogbeide detailed the harsh conditions in Italy, where many girls were forced into prostitution under traffickers and subjected to repeated exploitation, poor health conditions, and little support.
She noted that victims often faced serious health risks and were discouraged from seeking medical care, with only a few humanitarian groups stepping in to help.
Ogbeide stressed that trafficking is often normalised as a “cultural thing” in some communities, warning that it should never be accepted. She urged society to stop romanticising the idea of sending young girls abroad and to recognise the exploitation involved.
She added that speaking out is important to give other victims comfort and raise awareness, calling for stronger action to protect vulnerable children and end human trafficking.
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