The rescued girls
Eko Hot Blog reports that security operatives have raided two brothels in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, and rescued 50 young girls allegedly forced into prostitution.
The base information officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Richard Iginla, announced the development on Sunday.
The raid on the brothels also led to the arrest of three suspected sex traffickers.
According to the Navy spokesman, the military outfit collaborated with the Nigeria Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to carry out the operation.
“We got the intelligence from NAPTIP, who had been tracking the brothels that camped juveniles, with some of them as young as 14 years of age. So, after NAPTIP shared intelligence with us, a joint team was set up and we immediately went into action to rescue the victims,” he said.
“No fewer than 50 young girls forced into prostitution were rescued, while three recruiters and operators of the brothels were arrested.”
Iginla disclosed the identities of the brothels as Royal Brothel and Cool Breeze Brothel, both located on Azikiwe road in Diobu area of Port Harcourt.
He also revealed that security operatives are on the trail of the leaders of the sex-trafficking ring to bring them to justice.
“Children are gifts from God, and we must do everything humanly possible to protect them from all forms of abuse and exploitation,” the Navy spokesman said.
“The Nigeria Navy will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to bring to justice criminal elements that traffic persons either on land or through the waterways.
“On conclusion of our investigation, the suspects and victims will be handed over to NAPTIP for further investigation and possible prosecution.”
One of the victims, who narrated her experience, said she was brought from her village alongside two girls.
The girl, who shared harrowing details about sleeping with more than 10 men daily, said the ringleader would collect every money she makes.
“One of my village women brought me and two other girls from our village with the impression that we are coming to serve in a hotel,” she said.
“Shortly after we arrived at the hotel, she went outside and collected money from one woman (brothel operator). That was the last time I saw her.
“Later, the woman, simply known as madam, put us in a room and told us that we would work as prostitutes.
“In a day, I sleep with more than 10 men, and whatever money I make, I give it to my madam. We hustle by wearing pants to seduce the men. After admiring what they see, they take us into the room, have sex with us, and give us money.
“We do a daily account of any money we collect to our madam’s sister, who calculates and gives us our cut.”
Meanwhile, head of NAPTIP in Rivers, Nwa-Amaka Ikediashi, has said the agency would rehabilitate the victims and reintegrate them into the society.
“NAPTIP, as the focal agency mandated to fight all forms of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, will conduct proper investigation, to ensure justice is served,” she added.
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