The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, has confirmed the rescue of five Benue girls trafficked to Cote D’Ivoire for prostitution.
The NAPTIP Zonal Commander, Makurdi Zonal Office, Mrs Gloria Bai, who confirmed the development on Tuesday, said the girls had been rescued and were currently with the Nigerian Embassy in Cote D’Ivoire.
According to her, the attention of the agency was called on Monday to a group of girls rescued in Cote D’Ivoire.
“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 have spoken to them yesterday and they are safe at the Nigerian Embassy in Cote D’Ivoire.
“As at 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,” she said.
Bai said the agency had started investigation on the case, adding that the woman mentioned by the girls as being responsible for their predicament had also been arrested.
“She was picked up yesterday and is right now with the Nigerian Police Force in Kwande.
“We are also working with the police to see that we also have audience with her to see her involvement,” she said.
Bai, who described the case as shocking, regretted that the video was being shared on the social media thereby exposing the identities of the girls.
“This is like another rude awakening. It’s unfortunate that the video went viral because the identities of the girls have been exposed as it’s being shared all over the social media.
“It is also a call for us that we shouldn’t be in denial that our girls are being taken out everyday to African countries for all sorts of exploitation.”
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