Four teenage girls were rescued from child traffickers thanks to the intervention of Ify Obinabo, the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare.
The girls, who ranged in age from 13 to 15, were all from Akwa Ibom State.
They were said to be on their way to Agbor, Delta State, before being taken to a motor park in Anambra State on their way to another location.
They were rescued and the suspect apprehended at the motor park.
According to the Commissioner’s spokesperson, Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, 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 to know about it.
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, whose name was given simply 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.
Obinabo said, “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.”
Narrating their experiences, the girls 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 victims revealed that about five different men do have carnal knowledge of them every night.
They claimed 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.
The girls pointed out that they had made several attempts to escape, but were punished severely when one of them reported their plans to Madam Success.
They noted 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 but appreciated the effort of the commissioner for coming to their rescue and giving them shelter.