The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two suspected human traffickers in Imo State while rescuing four teenage victims.
The suspects – Gift Rita and Joy Samuel – are said to specialise in trafficking teenage girls from Port Harcourt to Ilorin for prostitution.
While parading the suspects on Thursday, NSCDC Commandant in the state, Iskil Makinde, described the development as unfortunate.
He said the suspects, under false claim, brought four teenage victims – aged 14, 15, 16, and 17 – respectively into the state to work in a hotel to raise money for their upkeep.
The Commandant commended the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffick in Persons (NAPTIP) for the collaboration that led to the arrest and said the suspects were nabbed following intelligence and surveillance.
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Makinde accused the suspects of luring the victims with a lucrative job in a hotel in Lagos, only to transfer them to Kwara as sex workers.
“She lied to them that they are going to Lagos for hotel work but unfortunately, all the underage girls were trafficked down to Kwara State,” he said.
“It is an unfortunate thing. Based on intelligent information, we were able to arrest them in conjunction with NAPTIP Commander.”
On the consequences of their action, the NSCDC boss said Nigerian laws forbid indulging underage girls in sex work.
He vowed to prosecute the suspects, stating that they have since admitted to trafficking the teenagers for prostitution.
In his remarks, NAPTIP Commander, Saadu Mustapha, promised that the agency would rehabilitate the victims and reunite them with their families.
He also pledged that the suspect would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, depending on the level of involvement.
This is even as he appealed to parents and guardians to take good care of their female wards, adding that the victims will be profiled and their families will be contacted after necessary procedures.
