* Rescued 22 Teenagers that were trafficked to Ogun State from Akwa Ibom
…Seeks Collaboration With NAPTIP
Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) has commended the Ogun State Police Command for the speedy intervention leading to the rescue of 22 teenagers and the arrest of some suspected human traffickers at a brothel in Abeokuta at the weekend.
JIFORM , a body with over 300 journalists covering migration matters across the globe also praised the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) for showing concern on the matter too.
“Our engagement with the NAPTIP on this incident days ago had been fruitful leading to prompt deployment of officers to track those involved. The positive spirit from the police and the NAPTIP is something we so cherished, ”JIFORM said in its statement .
Recalled that following a tip-off, media outcry and agitations by the JIFORM, the police raided Kolab Hotel, Ayetoro, Abeokuta from where 22 teenage girls between the ages 10-14 used as sexual workers were rescued.
President of JIFORM, Ajibola Abayomi, after interaction with the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP) Abimbola Oyeyemi, praised the police for the prompt rescue and arrest of the suspects.
“With this intervention, the Ogun police command has recorded another excellent landmark in the fight against crime,” he said.
The PPRO had in statement titled, “22 Under Age Girls Rescued From Prostitution Home In Ogun” stated that men of Ogun State Police Command, on Friday, May 7, 2021, rescued 22 teenage girls, who were lured from Akwa Ibom State to Ogun State for prostitution.
He said that in an operation, coordinated by the Area Commander Ota, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Muhideen Obe, upon credible intelligence received, that minors were recruited from other states and used as commercial sex workers at Kolab Hotel in Itele Ota stormed the said hotel at about 8 pm, where the 22 teenagers, whose ages are between 10 and 14 years were rescued.
He said that on interrogation, the girls narrated how they were lured from their respective villages in Akwa Ibom State to come to Ogun State, with the promise to employ them as sales girls in restaurants and supermarkets, only for them to get to Lagos and were transferred to a brothel in Ogun State as commercial sex workers.
The Ogun State Police Command spokesman said that the girls also narrated that they were deprived of using phone or any communication devices, therefore, making it impossible for them to reach out to their parents or relations.
The PPRO said that the Manager of the hotel one, Isaac Ogbaji male 33 years and 10 other male suspects were also arrested during the operation.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Awolowo Ajogun, has ordered that the family support unit of the Area Command Ota should take over the investigation of the case, identify the recruiting cartel and bring them to justice as soon as possible.
