The Guardian
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has intercepted a student of Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri and two other teenagers as they were being trafficked to Greece, Turkey and Mali for commercial sexual exploitation, otherwise known as prostitution.
Also, the agency said those behind the crime have also been arrested and are currently facing trial in competent courts of law.
NAPTIP Commander in Imo State, Ernest Ogbu, disclosed this at a one-day security sensitisation programme organised by National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with the International Organisation for Immigration (IOM) against drug abuse, Irregular Migration, Human Trafficking and Cybercrimes, held at Federal College of Education, Alvan Ikoku Owerri.
Ogbu, who decried the prevalence of human trafficking in the state, said: “In Imo State this year, we have at least 10 cases of human trafficking and one of such cases has been charged to court. Human trafficking is very endemic in the state.”
“ We have made some arrests in Imo State, where a young man took two young girls. According to him, his sister who is in Turkey had asked him to arrange some girls who will come over to assist her in her business.
“These children were taken to Abuja, heading to Kano when they raised the alarm that attracted our attention.
“ When we started the investigation, we discovered that the man, who recruited them is from Imo State. And we quickly went after him and he was apprehended…
