First of all, I am a graduate of economics from one of our state universities. When I say state, you know we pay plenty of money in state universities, so that also tells you I am not completely disadvantaged. But after NYSC five years ago, my sister, there was no job anywhere, no single interview, no part-time sef. It was one rejection after another, one long queue of 5000 candidates for a two people vacancy or 70 thousand candidates for a three-man vacancy.
I got tired. I got fed up with handouts. I tried hair dressing, I mean, I learned to weave and fix hair, I learned a bit of dressmaking, too but my dear, I didn’t make much of it, I even wanted to teach, the schools didn’t want economic teachers and where I could get a job in government schools, the long process- come today, come tomorrow- for more than nine months and the bureaucracy just drove me away. More so, you always have some men who want to sleep with you before they even help you for anything.
So, I was a ready candidate for any talk of travelling abroad, even if the abroad is Ghana next door. I was ready.
When this guy, one of the guys I met the days of coming and going from office to office at Alausa, looking for connection for job. He told me about Libya, he said I could get to Spain from Libya. He said if I didn’t mind, I could start as a maid, then I could from there work my way up.
I agreed because being a maid in Spain is not the same as being a maid in Nigeria, abi? I could earn money and send home to my people here.
I agreed, o.
So, I was a ready candidate for any talk of travelling abroad, even if the abroad is Ghana next door. I was ready.
When this guy, one of the guys I met the days of coming and going from office to office at Alausa, looking for connection for job. He told me about Libya, he said I could get to Spain from Libya. He said if I didn’t mind, I could start as a maid, then I could from there work my way up.
I agreed because being a maid in Spain is not the same as being a maid in Nigeria, abi? I could earn money and send home to my people here.
I agreed, o.
He then introduced me to another guy, this guy, Charles said he is an agent, he said he would collect his percentage when I start working because he will be the one to get me passport, travel documents and all that. I said OK, but I was also to raise some money for some other logistics.
I told my family about it, my aunty and her husband, and they said, it was better for me because they didn’t like the way I was always sleeping in the house. So they helped me raise about N300k, which I promised to refund once I settled in Spain. In my mind, I just thought, give or take, it will take me say six months to one year to get them the money back. And they are good people, this aunty and uncle of mine. They tried for me.
OK, o. So I contacted Charles, I gave him a part of the money and kept the rest because somehow, I felt that I should also have some money on me.
The journey to Libya almost took my life. From Kano to Agadez. I almost died in the desert. I saw things that scared the hell out of me, I thought I was losing my mind. Hummn. I saw evil in the desert. Human remains, people who didn’t make it to Libya, who died on the way.
Maybe I should just have died there because I thought the desert was hell.
But hell was Libya my sister, hell was Libya!
Not knowing that Charles was recruiting me for prostitution, I got to Libya and immediately I set foot down from the lorry that conveyed us through the desert, even before I was able to gather myself together to say, thank God I made it here as first part of my journey, I was taken to one house and told to remove my clothes.
What!
One Libyan woman, she told me and the other girls that came that we are her property and that we must do as we are told or we die!
Chai!
I was thirsty. I was tired. I was not even standing well and this woman is already telling us to dress like ashy? My own has ended today!
We wanted food, something to drink, rest from the journey. Then she said, ok, rest for today. She gave us small rice and water and one room for all of us, seven of us that first day.
Some of the old girls quickly told us to obey, that these people will actually kill us if we don’t obey, so the following day we began work. Work was sex with men.
See me, me that was avoiding sleeping with men for work in Nigeria, now I will sleep with them as work in Libya. Why didn’t I agree to do it in Nigeria and have a job and not have to consider coming to Libya, why?
That’s how we started o.
That’s how I began to have sex with men every day for survival. My sister, it was brutal! All my here…down here, torn to pieces by these animals, no treatment, no saying give her time to heal…and they want you in all sort of difficult positions. Can you imagine? Sometimes 20, sometimes 25 men, every day. I became like raw meat. The worst part is all the money went to madam, we did not see shinshin.
At one time I was begging for death. Because how would I survive this for long? So I just tuned off. One of the girls gave me some ointment to lubricate, make it easier for me because, I was just bleeding everyday and madam did not care.
After that, I removed my mind from the men, I just spread, they will do, they will piss on you, pull your hair, slap you, beat you, manhandle your breasts or put finger for inside and do many things. Those people are beasts! They treated us like we are not human beings as if we are animals who feel no pain, who don’t get wounded or something.
Who will you complain to? Madam? You are joking!
I did this for close to two years and all I wanted to do was return home. Some of the girls there didn’t want to come back. They still have dreams of sending money home to their parents, they still think that they will find a way to go to Spain or Italy. They say life in Libya or anywhere sef is better than life in Nigeria.
Then the day came, someone came to our place, saying some Nigerian government people were asking who wants to go back to Nigeria? I just jumped, I ran, I ran after the boy who came with that information.
Where? Where is the place? Where are the Nigerian people? I want to go home!
I am finally home!
from thisislagos.ng
-Compiled by Peju Akande
Wetin Naija girls dey take eyes see "abroad" them no fit talk am finish.
ReplyDeletePlenty girls dey die for desert, plenty
go still dey follow. Many of them get marriage proposals for Naija but "abroad", them go just vamoose!
Heartbreaking. I pray the Lord will heal you and wipe away your tears. Some will still read this and fall victim smh
DeleteId you check well now that madam is a nigerian woman.
DeleteAnd what of the Naija boys who sell their sister's into sexual slavery? These boys knew what purpose they were sending these women to Libya.
DeleteHeart-breaking and speechless. Dear God, pls forgive us.
ReplyDeleteOh my God!!! I read the whole thing and it was like i waw watching the interview live. I feel so happy fot her. She made it back home. Out people are suffering in Libya but our government don't Care.
ReplyDeletePlease who ever brought these few persons back shouldn't relent. Some of them really want to come back but no means.
So sad but i will disagree on this.you read the part that she said some of the girls decide not to come back to nigeria ,they prefer to stay back in libya to make it to spain.
DeletePls get knowledge before you start blaming people upandan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been responsible for repatriation of stranded Nigerians all over the world. They have been working extensively in Libya to bring back "trapped" Nigerian citizens since the Transitional Government overthrew Gadaffi. Of course, some people would rather prefer to remain in Libya than return to Naija as stated clearly by the writer
Delete#hadeyhalaba
OMG!
ReplyDeleteSo sad,s#x is sometimes even painful when you willingly do it talk more of when you are forced to.
Shebi this molla,we go legit make am laslas
Father Lord, pls make Nigeria a better place. Save us from evil people using the Nigeria challenge as a factor to lure innocent girls into prostitution. Save this country Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteNaija save your children. Your children are your future. Our leaders please think of the youth and coming generations. That your own family is ok now will not absolve you of future consequences if you do nothing.
DeleteMay nothing good come near that "Madam". Oloshi, see what she subjected innocent girls into.
ReplyDeleteWow😥😥
ReplyDeleteIt's the men she was referring to as animals.
ReplyDeleteI almost threw up halfway. The PTSD she is most likely enduring now ehn. Can she even look at men normally again? Can she have a functional sexual relationship? This is sad.
ReplyDeleteSad eh?
DeleteBut when I been dey talk make all of una Naija girl commot eye to "abroad by fire" una no dey hear.
Na thunder una go dey send make im enter my smooth nyansh.
she needs to heal completely from within emotionally.. that might never happen, the memories will forever hunt her & the scars will remain, shes been utterly ruined.
DeleteWOW what a story, hope you have learnt your lessons. God will heal you
ReplyDeleteGod! Thank you Jesus for my life.
ReplyDeleteI read the 2nd half of this story with my thighs tightly clamped together 😢
Why you dey clamp am together?
DeleteMake you open am wider than trailer gate ayakata inugo.
Make una continue ooo.
You sound cursed and broken inside. Pray that God gives you peace of mind because you really need it because it's only a diseased mind that will spew such acid.
DeleteOh no!!! Heart rending. Thank God you not only survived but also well and able to tell your story. Hopefully, those that are planning to leave will learn. It is well with you
ReplyDeleteThis brought tears to my face...
ReplyDeleteAnd my people will say building churches is the answer. James 2 14-26: faith without works is dead. Imagine opening industries that will hire the downtrodden in this country with the colossal amount used in building these new edifices. God is more interested in our souls. But African or Nigerian Christianity is sooo monetized. Preach the gospel all day to me but leave me to wallow in near death poverty, have u really helped? No high standard schools or hospitals just build churches. Ooh. Buru taa
ReplyDeleteChurches to deceive & drain the gullible, Nigerians are part of their own predicament, i left that hell hole in 2004 to Sweden, you need to imagine the culture shock i suffered, im still recovering my dear.. life as we know it is easier than we've been raised to know, you know the most shocking part? 80% of citizens here are atheists. As in you can hardly spot a church in view.
DeleteAnd how does this post relate with what you wrote about the church? What makes you think the church is not doing their best? So in ur shallow mind, it's until we sit under the trees to worship God you would believe the church is working right? Instead of you to blame the government you are here hating on the church. Please, the church it's not the cause of your problem. Hater.
Delete*relate to*
DeleteBy hater u must be referring to me. We have the most churches in the world per capita (allegedly). You can't use that as an excuse. Building churches an sending people back to their miserable lives. Govt has failed an I still failing, doesn't mean we should fold our arms and do nothing. Do all the religion and still quality of life is hopeless. I don't understand. Look at the Jews; they create businesses for themselves an equip their children for a better tomorrow but here our churches just take and take. But alas, it's not by force.
Deletestupid fool..how is the church related to this? do you know what help the church has given to millions....frustrated humans like you that life has dealt with will always blame God for your woes. is the church the govt that should provide social amenities to you? do you pay tax to the church? all the taxes you pay what have you gained? u better go back to God to help solve your problems and stop pouring out your frustrations on the church of God....churches will continue to be built whether u like it or not. fool
DeleteEnjoy
DeleteStella please where is it written that she slept with animals?
ReplyDeleteDidnt see where she said she had sex with Animals..... rather, that the men treated them like animals.
ReplyDeleteBefore nko, you go see anything?
DeleteIf another show for ya doormot today say work and husband dey Libya,
You no go vamoose?
Those men are ANIMALS. @Giveaway Princess
DeleteThe men are the animals in human form, she meant.
Deletehappy you are home. may God bless you with a good job and a family of your own. am just so sad
ReplyDeleteWhat a poignant read, still some prefer to stay there than come back. One of the worst things, that can happen to a person is to be born a Nigerian and I fear for the future because it looks very bleak.
ReplyDeleteNope! Thats not the worse thing dear, born into poverty with no hope as a nigerian is the worst.
DeleteMay God deliver this country from unemployment. It is destroying this generation. A lot of young people are now fraudsters and ritualists because of it. If you see what my eyes saw yesterday in Abj because I wanted a job. I sha know God is faithful sha.
ReplyDeleteThat woman needs serious rehabilitation o. They shouldn't abandone her.
Who send her message?
DeleteAfter all the warning some people dont listen... u chose to put hand in fire cis one yeye agent convinced u beyond doubt, are u a child? Youre even lucky to be alive. This hasnt ended oh more fools will follow this death trail
Wipes tears. Glad you made it back to Nigeria Alive.
ReplyDeleteMay God give you a fulfilling second life.
I was so pained where she said her sister raised 300k for her to travel. If she had demanded for ordinary 30k for people to borrow her for business they will be saying that they don't have. It is well oh...
ReplyDeleteAnn, you're so right.
DeleteThank you oh! That 300k would have helped her to start up a business here. This story is so heartbreaking!!
DeleteThis is really really sad, was touched from this writeup.
ReplyDeleteThank God you are back, may God's healing hand be upon you
I feel so bad for this girl, I pray you heal and good things come your way soon. Amen
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I noticed is that a lot of people are ignorant about this traveling thing, she raised 300k and still used an agent to go to Libya, with that money you don’t need agent to try US visa...it’s 50/50 but you might get it.
When I tried US visa for the first time I didn’t even have 100k but I was lucky and I got it.
For the benefit of young ones reading this, you don’t need an agent if you must travel, first go to immigration near you and tell them you want to get a passport, even there inside immigration, don’t use agent, seat down wait and go through the process.
After you get passport, you can take your time to raise visa fee and then apply for the country visa you want to go, also use this internet well, research how the application process works and what they look at, you can fill the form and apply yourself! Please guys stop using agents when you’re a graduate and can fill form and book an appointment.
100k at the time you left may be $100 but it's less than $300 today.
DeleteYes people should go to embassy themselves... don't use agents, it doesn't guarantee anything
When I applied for US visa I had only £1k in my account (in London) and I was given without stress. Sometimes presentation matters and visa officers use a lot of psychology. The same woman vehemently denying people was even gisting me with me and asking me irrelevant personal questions.
Deletehummmm which way Nigeria things can not continue like this
ReplyDeleteOnly if wishes comes through all the time, I wish she could legitimately travel to Libya by air, having an hotel reservation on groung, do a secret investigation on the said Madam, get her info, set up a meeting with her and do her BAD big time! Nothing is impossible. This is disheartling.
ReplyDeleteMy bad, I don't pity these people at all,, why do we think doing the wrong thing will bring us the right thing why didn't you think that 300 k would start a business for you here? Even selling okrika since then would have made you a bgobgo biz girl by now
ReplyDeleteShatap! Buhari saint. You should have human feelings, people like you are a curse to your religion as you put law/right over humanity.
DeleteCome to think of it, with 300k she could have started a small business. She should try get the police if possible to arrest the guy in Alausa who linked her up with Charles. She might be saving a lot of girls who might be trying to thread that path. Men are men's worse enemies all because of money!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly!! 300k minus pride will enable her start a very good business
Delete😪😪😪😪
ReplyDeleteI don't know why the stupid Charles has not been arrested heretofore and be made to stew from his own juice.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm,it is well
ReplyDeleteThe new form of slavery: it's a monumental shame Africans are still in the business of selling out their African "sisters" & others to foreigners for bowls of porridge. God punish Satan and all coded pimps. NMTA
ReplyDeleteThank God for her
ReplyDeleteCan someone pls show me anywhere a Libyan is residing in my country Nigeria plsssss
ReplyDelete