Lagos Police Arrest Trafficking Syndicate Targeting Young Girls

Police in Lagos arrested a syndicate trafficking girls to Mauritania for prostitution. The arrests were made by the Zone 2 Police Command on March 22. Two suspects confessed, revealing that one had recruited her daughter, receiving large sums in commissions. Investigations continue, with the suspects to be charged in court soon.

Authorities at the Zone 2 Police Command in Onikan, Lagos, have arrested a syndicate involved in the trafficking of girls from Nigeria to Mauritania for the purposes of prostitution and sexual exploitation. The apprehension occurred on March 22, as confirmed by the Zonal Public Relations Officer (ZPRO), CSP Umma Ayuba, in a statement released on Tuesday.

The operation was carried out by the Zonal Intelligence Response Squad (ZIRS), led by SP Francis Kpoughul, who raided the syndicate’s base in the Meiran area. During this operation, two suspects were taken into custody, and both confessed to their involvement in these illicit activities.

One suspect revealed that she was introduced to a woman in Mauritania by another individual already incarcerated for similar offenses. This woman had hired her to recruit young girls under 22 to be utilized as sex workers. She admitted to receiving ₦50,000 for each girl trafficked and shockingly disclosed that her own 19-year-old daughter was among those she recruited. To date, she has received over ₦500,000 from this Mauritanian accomplice.

The second suspect, who assisted the first in recruiting girls under the pretense of domestic work, later discovered the true nature of their exploitation and withdrew from the operation. She reported that the only girl she recruited was rejected due to age and physique and subsequently realized the women’s operations were morally wrong. The investigation remains active, and both suspects are expected to face charges in court following its conclusion.

In summary, the Zone 2 Police Command has successfully dismantled a syndicate responsible for trafficking young Nigerian girls to Mauritania. The victims were exploited for prostitution, with one suspect revealing her involvement included recruiting her own daughter. The investigation is ongoing, and the apprehended individuals will soon face legal repercussions for their actions.

Original Source: newsdiaryonline.com