Operatives of the Ogun State Security Network Agency, otherwise called Amotekun Corps, on Wednesday raided a sex trafficking camp in Ifo Local Government Area of the state, leading to the arrest of 16 suspects.
Recall that the suspects were apprehended at their place of business, Railway Line Hotel, located along Old Bank Road in Ifo.
The suspects are Anabell Udo, Ubong Rejoice, Edaefe Sharon, Godwin Bassey, Okon Lovett, Eden Miracle, Monday Angel, Marvelous Samuel, Edet Nice, and Asukwo Gift.
Others include Effiong Joy, Effiong Blessing, Asukwo Faith, UK Saviour, Andrew Ella, and Eden Joy.
The state commandant of the corps, Commander Alade Adedigba, while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta, said they are between the ages of 12 and 29.
Adedigba disclosed that the suspects were arrested at about 6:15 am on Wednesday following an intelligence report received on Saturday.
The commandant revealed that 14 of the girls were trafficked from Akwa Ibom, while the others came from Cross River and Delta states.
He said, “We received intelligence reports on the 8th of this month, and based on that, we have been processing the intelligence. At about 6:15 am today, we were able to arrest 16 of them, ranging between 12 and 29 years of age.
“They were all arrested at a venue, Railway Line Hotel, Old Bank Bus Stop, in Ifo town. The main suspect is Mrs Eden Joy. She was the one who trafficked all these individuals, but in her statement, she mentioned that the owner of the hotel, one Mrs Okutoro Yemisi, aged 60, is her boss.”
According to the commander, during interrogation, the victims confessed that when they were brought from their various locations to Ifo, they were made to swear an oath while naked, with parts of their hair cut for rituals, which was why they felt unable to escape.
Some of the items recovered included a sum of N819,600, various types of drugs, a carton of condoms, energy enhancers, and packs of tissue paper, among others.
The suspects also revealed that tissue paper used by their clients was collected and kept by their boss.
“These victims also made us understand that most of the tissue paper used by customers is usually kept and handed over to the trafficker for some other purposes, ” Adedigba said.
“So, for those who patronise individuals like this, you need to be very careful for your own safety and security.”
While lamenting that the suspects are young people who should be in school but are instead held in a hidden location for financial gain, he warned that the state would not tolerate any form of lawlessness, indiscipline, or anything that could threaten security.
He appreciated members of the public for their support and timely information, adding that the suspects would be transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, for further investigation.
