From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, on Tuesday, confirmed the rescue of five Benue girls trafficked to Cote D’Ivoire, Ivory Coast for prostitution.
The girls aged between 18 and 21 years were seen in a video which has gone viral on the social media, speaking Tiv and mentioning their names and age.
Our correspondent gathered that the girls were trafficked to CoteD’Ivoire for prostitution by a lady who is based in Jato Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of the state.
Confirming the incident, the NAPTIP Commander Makurdi Zonal Command, Mrs Gloria Bai said the girls have been rescued and are currently in custody of the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan.
Mrs Bai said their attention was drawn yesterday, Monday July 1, 2024 to a group of girls rescued in Ivory Coast.
She said “We have seen the girls and the video. The girls are there in Cote D’Ivoire. For now they are five of them and we have spoken to them yesterday and they are safe at the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan.
“As I speak with you, 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.”
The Zonal Commander said they have kick started investigation into the circumstances that led to the girls been trafficked to Abidjan.
She also informed that the woman mentioned by the girls as being responsible for their predicament has been arrested.
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