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Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service, Edo State Command on Friday arrested two suspected traffickers who specialize in trafficking teenage girls to Russia for sexual exploitation.
The suspects were arrested at Ekae axis of Sapele, Benin City following a tip off by relatives of trafficked girls.
The arrest of the suspects came barely two weeks after a pastor and his accomplice were arrested in Uromi, the Esan North East headquarters reportedly connived with a sponsor in Russia to traffic a 22-year old girl..
Senior Special Assistant to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Anti Human Trafficking, Solomon Okoduwa who supervised their arrest said two other suspects are at large but assured that they will not escape the long arm of the law.
Explaining further how the transactions were made, Okoduwa said “the two girls were trafficked to Russia by one Mrs Vera who is popularly known as "Mama Angel” (one of the arrested suspects.) She operates a Saloon where these victims are recruited.”
“She trafficked the victims on the 17th of July 2018 during the last FIFA World Cup. They were given NFF Super eagle supporters club tickets to watch and cheer up the team but they remained there after the world Cup. Both of them were later sold to different ‘madams’ in Russia where they were asked to pay the sum of $35,000 each which is 14 million Naira, the SSA added.
Worst still, one of the trafficked girls reportedly died in Russia after her madam aborted her pregnancy.
One of her relatives who does not want to be named on print, said she last heard from her late sister on the 1st of September 2018 when she complained about the maltreatment she was going through in Russia, “but she told me that her pregnancy was terminated by Mr Rufus and Tessy.”
She continued, “After the abortion they added two million naira to her 14m for defying their order. And she complained to me that she was not well. That was her last statement she said in tears.”
Meanwhile, Okoduwa said the suspects have given useful information that will lead to the arrest of other suspects.
He said the anti human trafficking law recently assented to by Governor Obaseki is very effective while the task force will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute anyone found guilty.
The Head of the Anti Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration Unit at the Nigerian Immigration Service, Edo State Command, Mrs. Josephine Etaluku who personally coordinated the Operation with a team of special Strike force expressed confidence in the command and assured the victims of justice.
Some family members of the late victim who was still in shock over the death of their daughter expressed gratitude to the state Government for their passion to get rid of the ugly trade that has sent many Youths to untimely death.
Okoduwa warned others to refrain from the business, saying “it is ungodly and unwholesome business. It is a crime against God and humanity. Our highly reverend Oba of Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11 has condemned it in strongest terms and placed a curse on anyone who ventures to embark on the trade. Edo State Governor has also set up a formidable task force that is working to end it, the governor’s aide posited.
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