ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, through its intervention has rescued four teenage girls from child Traffickers.
According to The Punch, the girls who are between the ages of 13 and 15, all hail from Akwa Ibom State.
It was gathered that they had been taken to Agbor, Delta State, before they were brought to a motor park in Anambra State on their route to another destination.
The teenage girls were subsequently rescued at the motor park and the suspect apprehended.
The Commissioner’s spokesperson, Chidimma Ikeanyionwu said that the operation of their rescue was carried out on Thursday night in conjunction with the Anambra State Police Command after the women and social welfare boss got the information.
Ikeanyionwu said the Commissioner swept into action with her team and security operatives and made sure the suspect was arraigned in court the following day.
The suspect, who gave his name as Success, has been arraigned before the Children, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Magistrate court in Awka where she was denied bail and committed to prison custody.
Obinabo reiterated the state government’s resolve in ensuring that human traffickers are not pampered.
“The Prof. Chukwuma Soludo-led administration will not leave any stone unturned in making sure that traffickers are dealt with according to the stipulations of the law; urging members of the state to always report any suspicious activity within their area,” Obinabo said.
The victims, while narrating their experiences, said they were taken by one auntie Success who told them that she had a job opportunity for them in Agbor, Delta State where they will be selling drinks in a beer parlour but on getting there, they discovered that it was prostitution work they were brought to do.
The girls also disclosed that about five different men do have carnal knowledge of them every night.
They claimed also that the men pay the sum of N1,000 to N2,000 directly to the said Madam Success, who only gives them N400 everyday for feeding, explaining that with the direct payment to Madam Success, they were not able to have any cash at hand.
They also stated that their skimpy clothes were bought from the proceeds, adding that they had made several attempts to escape, but were punished severely when one of them reported their plans to Madam Success.
They said that after the punishment they were taken to a herbalist who forced them to take an oath that they would never run away or they die.
They lamented that it was in their quest to secure their school fees that they got lured into the act.
The girls, however, appreciated the effort of the commissioner for coming to their rescue and giving them shelter.