The Sierra Leone Embassy in Dakar has rescued three Sierra Leonean girls, aged between 17 and 18, from an alleged sex trafficking operation in Senegal. The girls were promised jobs in a hairdressing salon, but one of them, identified as Sugar from Tombo, revealed that she was misled.
The girls had been in Senegal for over a month when they visited the embassy on 26th October 2026 to obtain consular cards. During the interview, Acting Head of Chancery Madam Evelyn Tanty Akakpo grew suspicious of one girl’s story. Further questioning revealed that she had been brought to Senegal not for hairdressing work but for prostitution.
Sugar explained that she had been staying with her friend’s parents when Musa Bah, a man from Dakar, approached her. After confirming his claims about living in Senegal, her guardians allowed a friend of Musa, Mohamed Kamara, to facilitate her trip. Upon arrival, she realised the job offer was a ruse.
“On arrival in Senegal, one month ago today, I found that all that he told us was not true, as he brought me for prostitution,” Sugar told embassy officials, breaking down as she recalled a madam threatening them with madness if they did not comply.
The other two girls, Destiny and Anita, from Tengbeh Town, were introduced to Musa by Fudia, a friend living in Senegal who had also been trafficked. Musa took them to the embassy under the guise of obtaining consular cards, which they thought would help them access healthcare and work legally.
Instead, they were placed under the control of a Nigerian woman named Harmony, who informed them of their intended job. She imposed a debt of 2,000,000 XOF (£2,320) for their services and required them to pay 5,000 XOF (£5.80) daily.
The embassy alerted Senegalese authorities, leading to a raid over the weekend. Migrant officers arrested Musa, Mohamed, and two women accused of trafficking. The girls were then placed in a safe home by the embassy.
The embassy is now attempting to contact the girls’ parents and guardians in Sierra Leone. Last year, they launched campaigns against human trafficking and substance abuse to protect vulnerable nationals in Senegal and surrounding areas.
