In a recent rescue operation in Anambra State, about 20 girls and women, aged between 16 and 24, have come forward with harrowing tales of forced prostitution, revealing the cruel conditions they endured while trapped in the clutches of sex traffickers. The victims, who were subjected to appalling conditions, disclosed that they were forced to sleep with a minimum of 10 men daily and were provided with a meager daily food allowance of N500.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, shed light on the successful rescue operation that took place at a hotel known as Ten Top in Oba community, located in the Idemili South Local Government Area of the state. The raid was initiated following a tip-off from a concerned whistleblower who had noticed suspicious activities in the vicinity.
The rescued girls and women have been placed under the care of the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, which has taken them to an undisclosed hospital for medical examinations.
Commissioner Obinabo emphasized the state government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating child kidnapping, trafficking, and sex slavery within the region. She urged the residents of Anambra to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities in their neighborhoods for swift intervention.
Speaking to the media, the rescued victims shared their disturbing experiences. Some had been lured to the hotel by friends, while others were deceived by their own relatives, all under the false pretense of securing employment. Instead, they were coerced into a life of prostitution.
The victims revealed that they were required to cater to about 10 clients daily to meet imposed targets, with the looming threat of torture and brutality if they failed to comply. The funds they earned from their exploitation were immediately seized by their respective “madams,” with the hotel owner also demanding a share.
To sustain their lives within the hotel, the victims had to pay a daily rent of N3,500, drawn from the money they earned through prostitution. A meager N500 was allocated each morning for their entire day’s sustenance, a sum that barely covered their basic needs.
Moreover, their personal belongings, including mobile phones, were confiscated upon their arrival, and they were informed that their release was contingent on remitting a fixed amount of money for one year to the woman overseeing their servitude.
Following the raid, several suspects associated with the trafficking operation are currently in police custody. They will be brought before the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate Court once investigations are complete. This incident sheds light on the urgent need to address human trafficking and protect the rights of the vulnerable within the Anambra State community.
