By: OLA AGBAJE
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Stopped in Burkina Faso
War-torn Republic of Mali appears to be the new haven for prospective Nigerian commercial sex workers as security authorities in Burkina Faso have intercepted another eight. All the ladies have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Services at Seme border. Crimewatch had exclusively reported how six Nigerian girls on their way to Mali were rescued by immigration officials at the Seme border recently.
According to investigation, all the ladies explained that they took off from Benin, Edo State capital, where their Madam made special arrangement with a driver that took them to Cotonou in Republic of Benin. They explained that although, their Madam (suspected to be the trafficker) did not follow them, she made contact with a man in Cotonou who met them and arranged for their journey to Mali through Burkina Faso.
Luck, however, ran out on them when the security operatives in Burkina Faso intercepted and interrogated them during which it was discovered that none of them had any travelling document.
As a mark of brotherhood, the Burkina Faso authorities, rather than detain them as illegal immigrants, promptly handed them over to security operatives in Republic of Benin where they were handed over to Nigerian authorities at Seme border.
Less than 48 hours before the men of immigration services received the shameful consignment from the Benin authorities, they had intercepted another batch of young ladies at the border on their way to Bamako, Mali capital. In a brief encounter with Crimewatch, the ladies enthused confidence in their believe that Mali offered a better attraction in terms of trade opportunities than the local market.
One of the ladies, Folashade Ashiyanbi explained that Mali offered her a relative comfort.
The Ibadan, Oyo State capital born ebony dark and mother of three said she did not set out to be a commercial sex worker in Mali. "I never set out to do that kind of business. But when I got there, I found myself in a dilemma, so I had to do something and that was how I stayed in an hotel in Bamako where I met one man who has been quite helpful. He asked me to leave the hotel and he has been taking good care of me," she said.
Folashade however betrayed emotion as she started weeping profusely lamenting the shame she has brought to her father's name. "Oh! my name has spoilt. I have brought shame to my father's name Oh!" she said amidst tears.
However, she insisted that quiting the trade may not be a feasible option as she asked, what else can I do? I have three kids, how would I take care of them?"
From her account, life has not been a bed of roses for her and her colleagues in Mali, as they often live in fear and anxiety of the country's immigration officials.
"Last year October, we had to relocate to a village where vehicles cannot reach. When their security operative started searching for us to be deported," she said. She however insisted that she was not a trafficker but merely offered to help her colleagues to explore the international market.
Also arrested was one Ubong Etim Daniel from Akwa-Ibom who was arrested along with the boys he was taking to Cotonou to hawk fried flour (popularly called puff-puff ).
According to Daniel, he was taking the boys who are all teenagers to Cotonou to assist their families because they were idle in the village. "In fact, their parents persuaded me to take them along with me to Cotonou. They did that because those that have followed me in the past always come with good things. Some of them returned with money to start their business. So, I was trying to help. They are compensated through commission on their daily sale," he explained.
Immigration officials confirmed his story stating that one of the parents whose number he gave them admitted that they gave their children to Daniel.
Speaking to Crimewatch, on the upsurge in the number of prospective commercial sex workers travelling to Mali, the Comptroller of Immigration at Seme International border, Julius Ogbu described the development as mysterious and illogical. "You and I know that Malians are even fleeing their country why is it that the place has suddenly become a major attraction for our ladies.
"I think there is a need to probe further the matter with a view to unravel the possible hidden truth behind the whole saga," he said.
The immigration Chief called for a review of law against human trafficking in the country in order to arrest the shameful trend. "Honestly, the law should be re-examined again to make the penalty stiff in such way that would adequately serve as deterrent. Also, parents and guardians who participate in it as accomplices in one way or the other should be made to face the wrath of the law. "It is not enough to focus on the traffickers only. There are instances where parents contribute money to finance their daughters' trip to Europe to engage in prostitution. This is quite shameful.
"People have been attributing such conduct to poverty. But that cannot be correct. There are poorer nations with poorer people in Africa, but they would never conduct themselves in such manner.
The root of this thing is greed and lack of contentment. If we are serious, we must do something urgently. The current penalty is not stiff enough to deter the people.
"Here we are doing our best within available resources.
We would continue to make this place unattractive route for them. On the fate of those arrested, Ogbu said they will be handed over to National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and prosecution.
| Posted: at | |
TRENDING GISTS 
EFCC To Investigate Alleged ₦528bn Misappropriation By Ex-Zamfara Governor, Matawalle
Lagos Lady Recounts Ordeal in 'One Chance' Bus, Says She Was Hypnotized, Robbed & Abandoned
2025 U-20 AFCON: Check Out All 8 Teams That Qualified For Quarter-Finals
Watch Loved-Up Moment Portable's Wife, Ashabi Shared With The Singer (Video)