Why we wanted to travel overseas – 46 Katsina’s rescued victims

On Friday, the Katsina State Government received 46 trafficked women and children, intercepted by Immigration officials at the Maiduguri–Borno border as they attempted to travel through irregular routes to the Republic of Chad in search of what they described as “a means to survive.”

Behind the statistics are raw human stories of poverty, illness, broken livelihoods, motherhood, and hope that explain why many Nigerians still risk everything to travel overseas.

“We were not going to commit any crime. We only wanted to work and earn a living,” one of the women said quietly.

“I Left My Children Behind to Look for Food”

For Naja’atu Salisu, a mother of two from Zango local government area of the State, the decision to travel was born out of desperation. “I am married with two children. One is four years old and the other is two. I left them behind to look for a means of livelihood”.

Naja’atu explained that she raised money for the journey with the help of her father, telling him she intended to practice tailoring in Chad, her trade.

“Our plan was to go to Jummaina in Chad. But immigration officials intercepted us and returned us. We are now asking for financial support to start a small business so we can settle down,” she pleaded.

According to her, the group was turned back without being questioned about their intentions. “Nobody asked us why we were travelling or what we intended to do”.

“I only wanted household items before marriage”

For Maryam Alhaji Salis from Zango Local Government Area, the journey was about dignity and preparation for marriage.

“I wanted to get married, but I do not have household items. That was why I planned to go to Chad to earn money,” she explained.

With a deceased mother and a father she described as financially incapable, Maryam said she relied on advice from her sister, who once sold food in Chad.

“She told me to come so she could teach me the business. I borrowed part of the transport fare and sold my remaining livestock for the rest”, according to Maryam.

Her voice trembled as she spoke about returning home with debt.

“If Allah returns me home safely, I pray He provides a way for me to repay those I borrowed money from.

“I never planned to stay long. Once I got what I needed, I would return”, she added.

“Sickness Is Why I Wanted to Leave”

Perhaps the most painful story came from Ladidi Audu, a mother of eight who said illness pushed her toward migration.

“The reason I wanted to leave the country is mainly because of my health condition,” she said.

Ladidi recounted how she lost her livelihood after falling into hot oil while frying akara, badly burning her hand.

“I spent one year and five months receiving treatment. At one point, they wanted to amputate my hand, but I refused,” she recalled.

Though her hand eventually healed, she said her ability to work never fully returned.

“I was told that the poor and sick are assisted there, and that people go there for treatment. That was why I agreed,” she said, adding that her sisters already lived in Chad.

Now, she says she is alone, except for a young granddaughter she brought with her to travel overseas.

Handing over the victims, NAPTIP Commander in Katsina State, Musa Aliyu, said the agency remains determined to combat human trafficking and irregular migration.

“Our personnel intercepted these 46 victims in Maiduguri on Wednesday. We received them on Thursday and today we are handing them over to the State government,” he said.

Aliyu disclosed that NAPTIP has rescued 70 trafficked persons in 2026 alone, most of them women.

“They Were Deceived by Scammers” — Katsina Govt

Receiving the victims, Special Assistant to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda on Drugs, Narcotics and Human Trafficking, Shehu Abdu Daura, described the situation as tragic but preventable.

“These our sisters were deceived by scammers who promised them jobs abroad. Many who follow such routes lose their lives or disappear forever,” he said.

Daura stressed that the government is not against lawful migration. “We are not discouraging people from travelling overseas. But those who go legally travel with documents and protection. Those taken through illegal routes are not recognised anywhere,” he warned.

He urged the returnees never to attempt such journeys again. “No matter how hard life seems in Nigeria, it is far better than what awaits many people abroad through illegal routes”.

Calling for a return to small-scale livelihoods, Daura encouraged farming, trading, and local businesses. “Let us live where we have dignity, relatives, and freedom. Whatever Allah has destined for you, no one can take it away”.

Between Hope and Hardship

As the women and children prepared to be returned to their local governments, one truth stood out clearly, their journeys were not driven by greed, but by hardship.

Their stories echo a haunting question facing many vulnerable Nigerians today. If survival at home feels impossible, where else can hope be found?

For now, they are back home. Alive. And waiting, hoping that support, opportunity, and dignity will finally meet them where they are.