Edo sex workers rebel against traffickers
Some girls trafficked from Edo State have drawn the battle line with their traffickers as they defy native doctor’s oaths which signals a step to halt the menace.
The long war against human trafficking in Edo State and other parts of the nation by various state governments and other stakeholders seems to be recording milestones regardless of the challenges amid global synergy and efforts to curb human trafficking most especially for sexual exploitation and monetary gains.
This is even as the fight to end the dangerous menace, especially sexual exploitation often suffers setbacks largely due to oaths of secrecy between the victims and their traffickers.
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The negative effect of this trade most often than not leads to the death of victims in mysterious circumstances.
Edo State is recorded to be one of the epicenters of sex slaves as thousands of trafficked girls had been rescued and repatriated in the last five years. It is also on record that successive governments in Edo State and traditional institutions, especially the Benin monarch have taken bold and decisive steps in the fight against the illicit trade.
However, the recent investigation indicated that the trade still strives as some of the willing victims now find Dubai as one of the destination points despite efforts by relevant government agencies to stem the tide.
when contacted, denied trafficking anybody to Dubai for sexual exploitation.
“I don’t know anything. What is she doing in Dubai? This is a girl I supported in paying her school fee. Did she not tell you about that? The issue you are talking about is currently a subject of investigation at Ekiadolor police station in Benin.
“If you want to find out anything on the matter contact her brother called Osaro. Don’t call my line again, please,” she said.
Another trafficked victim who is 27 years old (name withheld) is currently trapped in Dubai and has cried out for help following constant threats from her trafficker, whom she alleged has trafficked her to Dubai.
The victim who has gone into hiding from her trafficker spoke in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP Weekend and said she can no longer continue with the agreement as she was constantly exploited by her trafficker.
She claimed to have paid the sum of 10,000 Dirham out of the 20,000 Dirhams agreed upon.
Trouble however started when she complained of having excruciating pain in her womb due to the high number of clients that patronized her daily.
She narrated that despite her current health challenges her trafficker insisted that she must pay up or face severe circumstances.
She, therefore called on the federal government, relevant nongovernmental organizations, and the chairman of the Diaspora Commission, Hon Abike Dabiri to come to her rescue as she can no longer continue with the acclaimed oldest professions.
In a faint laden voice occasioned by the pains in her womb, she said, “I can’t continue with this work. But my trafficker insisted that I must pay him the balance of 10,000 Dirham or be ready to face dire consequences and I’m scared.
“Since I came to Dubai he has been threatening and disturbing me. My womb can’t withstand the daily sex; the work has affected my womb. I am tired and need protection.
“Out of the 20, 000 Dirham, I have paid him 10, 000 which is equivalent to N2 million and as I speak I am even pregnant due to burst condoms. I even appealed to him to give me some cash to terminate the pregnancy but he refused’’.
“Part of our agreement was for him to renew my international passport which has since expired but he also refused to do that. So I am calling for help and protection”.
On his part, the executive directive, Initiative for Youth Awareness on Migration, Immigration, Development, and Re-integration, Solomon Okoduwa, frowned on the action of the trafficker and promised to collaborate with relevant security agencies to rescue the victim from the den of the trafficker.
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