AbdulAhad Otuoze
A recent investigation conducted by
Wadata Media and Advocacy Center, Abuja, revealed that some girls were trafficked from the northern part of the country to Kogi- state as prostitute and sex slavery.
The under aged girls came from the northern part of the country such as Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto, Bauchi, and other neighbouring countries like Chad, Niger republic into Kasuwan-ruwa, a subub of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital for prostitution.
It was reliably gathered that, in Kasuwan-ruwa, during the day, traders converge to sell yam, but at night it is otherwise.
More worrisome is that, the man who was alleged to be behind the trafficking of this girls identified as small lusher( not real name) gets the lion share from the girls after selling their bodies to customers who patronize them at night.
Further findings revealed that that the girls are either convinced to relocate to Lokoja in Kogi State with the hopes that they will get jobs as promised by their master but later end up becoming a prostitute and sex slave.
While residents of the community have continued to point fingers at some security agencies for aiding and abating this illegal business which according to them has exposed the girl child to insecurities, psychological trauma, diseases after sleeping with men, it was also learnt that some of this girls get pregnant on regular basis and late gave birth, while those who could not carry the baby are compel to do abortion.
Looking at the lucrative nature of his illicit business, the suspect according to Wadata Media investigation decided to open another branch of his business at
Saban zango less than one kilometer to kabba junction, within Okene-Lokoja-Abuja high way.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Hon Hajiya ( Mrs) Fatima Buba while reacting said all the perpetuators of this crime will be brought to book.
She describe the crime as heinous, adding that the government is not aware that such cartel is operating in the state which is against the provision of the child right act.
Hajia Buba noted that the Kogi State Government under Alhaji Yahaya Bello will not condole any act of human trafficking or sexual exploitations in the state.
” This government under Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello has leaved no stone unturned to protect the girl child and women in the state. We won’t allow any disgruntled element to come here and sabotage the effort of his excellency.
“This is to total wickedness. How will someone who has conscience carry out such a heinous crime like this? With this illicit business, this girls will be denied the right to education, they would be expose to all manners of dangers and diseases.
” Am assuring the general public that this matter will not be swept under the carpet and will be investigated to a logical conclusion. Whoever that is behind this, no matter how highly placed in the society, must face the full wrath of the law. Kogi State is not a safe haven for criminals, teenage prostitutions, or sex slavery of any kind” She averred.
