The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has rescued two underage girls forced into prostitution in a hotel in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
In a statement issued to journalists in Uyo on Thursday, July 20, 2023, spokesperson of the Corps in the state, DSC Ekerete Friday, said operatives raided the hotel on Saturday, July 15, following intelligence by another teenager who escaped from the hotel.
According to the statement, the rescued girl had been taken from her parents and employed as a sales attendant in the Bar/Restaurant section of the hotel.
She dutifully carried out her assigned tasks until the cruel hand of fate intervened. One Madam Imaobong, the wife of the hotel operator, allegedly forced the girl to engage in sexual activities against her wishes.
She escaped and contacted officials of the NSCDC in the state who acted swiftly.
Upon entering the hotel premises, the NSCDC operatives discovered two young victims, who both confessed to their distressing plight of being forced to sleep with men and would hand over the proceeds to Madam Imaobong who is still at large.
“The Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps acting on intelligence raided a hotel in Ini LGA of Akwa Ibom State suspected to be engaged in under-aged prostitution,” the statement reads.
The statement noted that the suspect employed deceitful tactics, offering false job opportunities to minors and young girls, only to subject them to a life of prostitution after arriving at the hotel. Their identities were even altered once they fell victim to this heinous scheme.
Commenting on the appalling incidents, the State Commandant of NSCDC, Eluyemi Eluwade, warned parents and guardians to be vigilant against the crafty tactics employed by human traffickers.
Eluwade harped on the need for education, and urged parents to take advantage of the state’s free and compulsory education policy up to the secondary school level to safeguarding their children from falling prey to such unscrupulous criminals.
The victims, along with other suspects apprehended at the hotel, will be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and the necessary rehabilitation of the girls.
