The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Makurdi Zonal Command, confirmed on Tuesday the rescue of five girls from Benue State who were trafficked to Cote d’Ivoire for prostitution.
A viral video over the weekend showed the girls, aged between 18 and 20, answering questions in the Tiv language.
Bai Gloria Iveren, the Zonal Commander of NAPTIP in Benue, told journalists on Tuesday that the agency was alerted to a group of girls rescued in Cote d’Ivoire.
She confirmed that NAPTIP had seen the video and that the girls had been rescued.
She said, “The girls are currently in Cote d’Ivoire. There are five of them, and we spoke to them yesterday. They are safely at the Nigerian embassy in Cote d’Ivoire.
“Arrangements are being made to bring them back to the country, and we are monitoring the situation to ensure their safe return and handover to us. We have also initiated an investigation into the case.
“The young girls mentioned the name of the woman involved, and she was apprehended yesterday by the police in Kwande LGA of Benue State. We are collaborating with the police to understand her involvement.”
She noted that, “This incident serves as a harsh reminder that our girls are being trafficked daily to African countries for various forms of exploitation. We look forward to meeting the girls to profile them and understand the exact circumstances that led to their trafficking.”
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.