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A victim of human trafficking, Victoria Oyoke, nineteen years old, has narrated how she was sold with two of her friends for the sum of 500,000 cefas each to another trafficker in Cotonou, capital of the Benin Republic.
500,000 is equivalent of N350 ,000. The three victims were deceived from Benin City, the Edo state capital to Lagos before heading to Cotonou with the help of one Maxwell, who had tricked them before selling them off to another woman for the sum of 500,000 cefas each .
The revelation came on Thursday during the parade of a suspected trafficker and four victims who were rescued by the operatives of the Nigeria security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Lagos command.
Addressing the media, the Commandant of the Nigeria security and civil defence corps (NSCDC) Lagos command Lagos State command, Otoibhi Ehiabhi Cyprian said his men apprehended the suspect on 15th January, 2020 at about 9.20am at Abule Oki, Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos State.
The suspect who is the ring leader of the trafficking gang, Omomunmi Michael, 30, had planned to traffick Aloaye Joy, 22, Victoria Oshioke 19, Amaka Eze 23, and Anuoluwapo Mustapha, 26 to Mali for Prostitution before the plan was busted by NSCDC operatives who acted swiftly base on intelligence report.
In an interview with the prime suspect, Omomunmi stated that she had traveled to Mali spent two years before becoming a prostitute which paved way for her to aid trafficking.
According to the victim, the deal would have fetched her 30,000 cefas.
Another victim Amaka Eze, 18, who hailed from Anambra state, said she was determined to travel to Mali before the plan was scuttled by NSCDC Lagos operatives .
“I was ready to travel for prostitution in Mali and I agree to pay Omomunmi and the rest traffickers any amount they charge me abroad. What I wanted was just to go out of Nigeria due to the economic hardship here.
Already, the operatives of the NSCDC have launched a manhunt on one of the ring leaders and a boyfriend to one of the victims whose name was given as Favour.
The said Favour was the one who paid their transport from Benin city, Edo state to Lagos for onward movement to Mali through the connection of Omomunmi who is their point person in Lagos.
The commandant in an interview with journalists urge parents to always ensure they know what their children are doing.
He explained that the dangers of human trafficking cannot be overemphasized and enjoined members of the public to report such cases to appropriate authorities.
“The command will continue to ensure a crime free Lagos and the suspects as well the victims will be handed over to the relevant agency for further investigation and prosecution.”
