John Charles
Five Benue girls trafficked to Cote D’Ivore for prostitution have been rescued by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.
The NAPTIP Commander, Makurdi Zonal Command, Mrs Gloria Bai, on Tuesday, said the girls are still in the Nigeria Embassy in Cote D’Ivore.
Recall that a trending video on social media showed five girls between the ages of 18 and 21 years old, speaking the Tiv language and mentioning their names and ages.
The girls claimed to have been sold in Cote D’Ivore for prostitution by a lady based in Jato Aka, in the Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
The NAPTIP Commander told journalists in Makurdi on Tuesday that her attention was drawn to the case on Monday, July 1, 2024, about the girls rescued in Cote D’Ivore.
She said, “We have seen the girls and the video. The girls are there in Cote D’Ivoire. For now, there are five of them and we spoke to them yesterday and they are safe at the Nigerian Embassy in Cote D’Ivoire.
“As of this morning, arrangements are being made for them to be brought back to the country and we are monitoring the situation to ensure that they are brought back safely and handed over to us.”
While stating that the command has commenced an investigation on the case, Mrs Bai said the woman had been fingered by the girls as the sponsor had been arrested by police.
Bai said, “She (the alleged sponsor) was picked yesterday and is right now with the Nigerian Police in Kwande.
“We are also working with the police to see that we also have an audience with her to see her involvement.
Recall that in June 2024, ten Nigerian girls were rescued from human traffickers in Ghana.
The girls, eight from Imo State and two from Plateau were rescued following the arrest of the suspect, who is currently in security custody.
The girls are now in safe custody and receiving care, according to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.
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