Woman Remanded for Trafficking 4 Teenage Girls in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

A middle-aged woman, simply identified as Auntie Success has been remanded for allegedly trafficking four teenage girls in Anambra State.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Ify Obinabo, who disclosed this through her media aide, Chidimma Ikeanyionwu said the suspect was nabbed by the Ministry in conjunction with the State Police Command.

She said the victims were rescued two days to Christmas while the suspect was arraigned before the Children, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Magistrate court in Awka where she was denied bail and committed to prison custody. 

She said the suspect had promised the victims, aged 15, 14, 15 and 13 years old respectively from Akwa Ibom, of job opportunity in Agbor, Delta state.

According to the commissioner, the victims were also promised to be selling drinks in a beer parlor, but only discovered it was prostitution they were brought to do, on arrival.

The statement reads, ,”The operation was carried out on Thursday night in conjunction with the Anambra State Police Command after the Women and Social Welfare boss was hinted of the crime.

“Without hesitation, she swung into action with her team and security operatives and made sure the suspect was arraigned in court the following day.”

The commissioner reiterated government’s resolve in ensuring that human traffickers were not pampered in the state, urging members of the state to always report any suspicious activity within their area.

“Prof Chukwuma Soludo led administration will not leave any stone unturned in making sure that traffickers are dealt with according to the stipulations of the law,” she reiterated.

Narrating their ordeal, one of the victims said they were paid the sum of N400 daily from the proceeds of N1,000 or N2000 paid to their madam by the men they slept with.

“The men pay the sum of N2000 or N1000 directly to our madam who only gives us N400 everyday for feeding. With the direct payment to Madam Success, we don’t have any cash at hand,” she said.

According to the victim, about five different men had carnal knowledge of them every nighy, adding that their skimpy clothes were bought from the proceeds from the business.

“We have made several attempts to escape but were punished severely after one of us reported our plans to our madam.

“That action attracted punishment to us after which we were taken to a herbalist who forced us to take oath that we will never run away or we will die,” she added.

While regretting that they were lured into the act following their quest to secure their school fees, the victims appreciated the Commissioner for coming to their rescue and providing them shelter.