By Christopher Oji, Lagos
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two suspected human traffickers and rescued 10 girls who were being trafficked to West African countries.
The syndicate was busted by the Crack Squad of the state police command, led by CSP Uba Adams. The victims were being held in a hotel in preparation for their transfer to different West African countries when the police rescued them.
The survivors claimed they were lured by the syndicate with promises of lucrative employment in neighbouring African countries.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who paraded the suspects, said they were apprehended by the Crack Squad led by CSP Uba Adams. He identified the suspects as Chike Aniebonam, 42, and Donald Ojikote, 55.
Hundenyi said the victims were abducted from various parts of Nigeria, including the South-South, South-West, and East.
“The Crack Squad of the Lagos State Police Command, situated in Gbagada, received intelligence that a syndicate specializing in abducting teenage girls and selling them to their partners in neighbouring countries was operating in the state,” Hundeyin said.
“We acted on the information and within a week, we gathered enough evidence and swung into action, leading to the arrest of the two suspects in the Mazamaza area of Lagos.”
“The children are between the ages of 16 and 23 years old. We have already established contact with the parents and relatives of the victims. They will be handed over to their families within hours.”
Hundeyin also stated that the police are working with Interpol to arrest the syndicate’s international collaborators and other members.
One of the victims, identified as Godslove, said she and her younger sister, Ifonobong, were introduced to the syndicate by a former neighbour.
“We have a former neighbour who still communicates with us. When we told her that we needed a job, she assured us that she had a sister outside of Nigeria who owned a big restaurant and could get us a job,” Godslove said.
“That was how we were introduced to these people (suspects), and we were waiting to be taken there when we were arrested.”
Another set of sisters, 19-year-old Success and 17-year-old Chioma, said they were introduced to the gang members by their aunt after the death of their parents.
One of the suspects, Chike Aniebonam, told reporters that he was only responsible for taking the abducted girls to different West African countries.
“I have only taken the girls to Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and the Republic of Benin. I am only a driver,” Aniebonam said. “I got a call from one of my customers to help bring the girl to Benin Republic.”
“That was not the first time I would be taking girls to her. I used to help her carry loads too. From some of the waybills she sent, she is into sales and supply of foodstuffs. She also operates a restaurant.”
Hundeyin stated that the police would work with the necessary government agencies to ensure that the suspects are properly prosecuted in accordance with the law.