30th July, 2023
By Joy Odigie
Girls from war torn West African country of Mali are now being trafficked to Benin city the capital of Edo State capital for prostitution, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has said.
Mr Nduka Nwawenene, NAPTIP Commander, Benin Zonal Office, said during a road walk organised to mark the 2023 World Day against Trafficking in Persons on Sunday.
He said while before now, NAPTIP has been involved in efforts to rescue Nigerian girls trafficked to Mali for prostitution, the reverse seem to the case currently.
“We gathered intelligence reports that victims are now being trafficked from Mali into Benin for prostitution and we are investigating.
“Before now, more than 20,000 Nigerian girls were stranded in Mali.
“Mali used to be one of the destinations for trafficked Nigerian girls.
“Now the reverse is the case as Malian girls are being trafficked into Nigeria, the NAPTIP Commander said.
“Before now, we heard stories about Malian men ready to do anything to meet with Nigerian girls.
“Victims have confessed that they make more money in Mali and that Malian men would spend everything they had to get cosy with Nigerian girls.
“But now the reverse is the case; their girls are the ones coming to Benin and we are investigating,’’ he said.
Speaking on the theme for the 2023 celebrations, Nwawenene said all hands must be on deck to curb the trafficking, particularly of Persons with Disabilities for exploitation and organ harvesting.
“We do not have the statistics of hearing-impaired persons already trafficked, but their group claims that some of them had been trafficked and that they were used for domestic jobs and other exploitation.
“Now that we have brought them into our fold, we will collect their statistics to enable NAPTIP to rescue and to rehabilitate them,’’ he said.
The event was supported by the International Organisation for Migration and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, among other stakeholders.
The World Day against Trafficking in Persons is observed annually on July 30.
The theme for the 2023 celebration is: “Reach every victim of trafficking, Leave no-one behind’’’.
(NAN)