The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, on Tuesday, confirmed the rescue of five Benue girls trafficked to Cote D’Ivore for prostitution.
The NAPTIP Commander, Makurdi Zonal Command, Mrs Gloria Bai, said the girls are still in the Nigeria Embassy in Cote D’Ivore.
Recall that a trending video on social media showed five girls whose ages range between 18 and 21 years old, and were speaking the Tiv language mentioning their names and ages.
The girls claimed in the video that they were sold to Cote D’Ivore for prostitution by a lady who is based in Jato Aka in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue state.
The state coordinator of NAPTIP told journalists in Makurdi on Tuesday that her attention was drawn to the case on Monday, July 1, 2024, about the girls rescued in Cote D’Ivore.
She said “We have seen the girls and the video. The girls are there in Cote D’Ivoire. For now, there are five of them and we spoke to them yesterday and they are safe at the Nigerian Embassy in Cote D’Ivoire.
“As of this morning, arrangements are being made for them to be brought back to the country and we are monitoring the situation to ensure that they are brought back safely and handed over to us.”
While stating that the command has started an investigation on the case Mrs Bai stated that the woman been fingered by the girls as the sponsor had been arrested by police in Kwande LGA.
Bai said, “She (the alleged sponsor) was picked yesterday and is right now with the Nigerian Police in Kwande.
“We are also working with the police to see that we also have an audience with her to see her involvement.
Recall that in June 2024, ten Nigerian girls were rescued from human traffickers in Ghana.
The girls, eight from Imo State and two from Plateau State were rescued following the arrest of the suspect, who is currently in security custody.
The girls are now in safe custody and receiving care, according to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.