NSCDC arrests two suspected human traffickers in Kwara

As part of efforts of the federal government to tackle human trafficking menace and child rights legislations, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Kwara state has arrested suspected human traffickers for alleged trafficking of a 15-year-old girl.

In the matter, which was brought to the security outfit by the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), Women Environment and Youth Development Initiatives (WOYODEV) and Child Protection Network (CPN-Kwara), the victim of the human traffickers was taken from Togo to Nigeria to work as a house help.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Wednesday, the Executive Director of the WOYODEV, Mrs Tosin Apiriola-Ajayi, and Public Relations Officer of CPN-Kwara, Angela Okoye, said that the suspected human traffickers, lead by a woman identified as Madam Hauwa, was discovered to have been in a long time practice of bringing in children from neighbouring countries to work in Nigeria.

“She is in the habit of telling the children to abscond from those they work with before expiration of date on the contract and then sends them to another place to work”, she said.

Mrs Apiriola-Ajayi also said that it was during the girl’s escape from her place of work that she got raped and impregnated by one Bala Suleiman on her way to Ilesha-Baruba to meet Madam Hauwa.

Meanwhile, the NSCDC has asked Bala Suleiman to foot the medical bill for the girl’s health and upkeep, pending when investigation on the matter is concluded.

“On July 21, 2020, a case was brought to WOYODEV of a 15-year old girl name Mebuma Hammed (not real name) who was said to have been raped and now impregnated.

“The girl is said to be a Togolese who was brought to Kwara State by a woman named Hauwa who was into girl trafficking. Hauwa brings girls to Kwara and makes them work as maids in a particular place and ask them to abscond after less than three months after having collected money for a whole year from the guardian.

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“On the night when Memuna (not real name) was raped, she was about travelling to Ilesha-Baruba where Hauwa stays following the usual trend. She got to the motor park only to find out that there were no more vehicles as it was already late at night.

“Confused that night, not knowing where else to go, she called Suleiman Bala who happens to be one of the workers who transport foodstuffs at the park. Bala came for her that night and advised that she sleeps over at his place before her take-off the next morning. She later got raped, according to her.

“In order to seek redress for her, WOYODEV team reported the case to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), where she was interviewed and a statement was written on her behalf by the WOYODEV’s Executive Director as the girl only had primary school education.

“The NSCDC gave an order for the arrest of Suleiman Bala after which he was brought to the station and interrogated. He admitted having sex with her and accepted the responsibility of her pregnancy but claimed ignorance of the fact that sex with a minor was rape. The parents of the victim are being expected to come from Togo to help conclude investigations before further steps would be taken”, she said.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE