The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has disclosed that traffickers have started recruiting and trafficking girls from Mali to Edo State for prostitution.
NAPTIP’s Benin Zone Commander, Nduka Nwanwene, made this known during the 2023 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in Benin, with the theme “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind”
Nwanwene revealed that the theme was a call for increased cooperation among key players in the anti-human trafficking circle. He added that it offered an opportunity to increase awareness of the emerging trends and development regarding vulnerable groups that are targeted by human traffickers.
He said: “We just gathered intelligence that traffickers are bringing in young girls from Mali to Benin for prostitution; we are investigating. But many Nigerians, especially young girls, are stranded in Mali; over 20,000 Nigerian girls are stranded in Mali.
“Mali used to be a destination for girls trafficked from Nigeria but now the reverse is the case as Mali girls are being trafficked into Benin City for prostitution.”
Nwanwene said NAPTIP, under Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi was making progress in the area of convicting high-profile traffickers, sustained evidence-based rehabilitation, and empowerment of survivors.
He urged stakeholders to galvanise support towards tackling the menace of human trafficking and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
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