Operatives from the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force have apprehended a woman, along with an accomplice, for allegedly trafficking young girls to Mauritania to work as commercial sex workers. The arrests took place at a hideout in the Meiran area of Lagos State on March 22. The identities of the suspects have not been disclosed, but the crime they are accused of is serious, involving the exploitation of young women for financial gain.
Syndicate’s Exploitation of Vulnerable Young Women
According to Umma Ayuba, the Zonal Public Relations Officer, the suspects were part of a trafficking syndicate that collaborated with accomplices in Mauritania. This network was responsible for recruiting young girls to work as sex workers abroad. The ZPRO explained that the syndicate’s operations spanned across borders, highlighting the international scale of this trafficking ring. After their arrest, the suspects confessed to their involvement in the illegal operation.
Confessions and Details of the Crime
Ayuba revealed that the suspects admitted to the crime during their interrogation. The arrest was carried out by operatives from the Zonal Intelligence Response Squad, led by SP Francis Kpoughul. One of the suspects, the first woman arrested, explained that she had been introduced to a woman based in Mauritania by another woman, who had already been prosecuted and jailed for the same crime. This connection led to her involvement in recruiting young girls for exploitation.
The first suspect further confessed that she received N50,000 for each girl she trafficked to Mauritania. Among the victims was her 19-year-old daughter. She explained that the woman in Mauritania had contracted her to recruit girls under the age of 22 for sex work. The first suspect admitted to earning over N500,000 from this illegal activity.
Second Suspect’s Role in the Scheme
The second woman arrested, who worked alongside the first suspect, provided additional details about the operation. She admitted that she was contracted by the first suspect to recruit girls to work as domestic staff in Mauritania. However, when she sent one girl to the first suspect, the victim was rejected. This rejection raised suspicions, and upon further investigation, the second suspect learned that the girls were being trafficked for sex work.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, the second suspect decided to withdraw from the operation. She admitted that the only girl she had sent was rejected due to her age and body size, which made her realize the victims were not being recruited for domestic work as she had initially been told.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Actions
Ayuba concluded that the two suspects will face legal action, as the investigation continues. Once completed, the suspects will be charged in court for their roles in the trafficking operation.
Previous Arrest in Ogun State
This arrest is part of a broader crackdown on human trafficking. Earlier, on March 3, the Ogun State Police Command arrested Opeyemi Adetoro, a 28-year-old woman, for trafficking three girls to Libya from the Oke Itoku area of Abeokuta, Ogun State. The arrest followed a complaint from the mother of one of the victims, who reported that her daughter had been taken to Libya without her consent. The police took swift action, leading to the arrest of the suspect.
Conclusion
The arrest of the woman and her accomplice marks a critical step in the fight against human trafficking, which remains a serious issue in Nigeria and globally. The authorities are committed to investigating these cases thoroughly and bringing the perpetrators to justice, sending a strong message that the exploitation of vulnerable young women will not be tolerated. The ongoing investigation will ensure that the full extent of the trafficking ring is uncovered and further arrests are made if necessary.
