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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
An 18-year-old girl, Faith Joseph, has narrated how she refused to engage in prostitution in Mali after being deceived with promises of a salesgirl job in Lagos State, only to be trafficked to the Sahel country.
She spoke to journalists at the premises of the Edo State Migration Agency in Benin City, explaining that she was working as a maid in Afuze, Owan East Local Government Area, when she was told about a salesgirl job in Lagos State.
Faith’s parents raised the alarm when they discovered their daughter had been trafficked to Mali, from where she was rescued and returned to Nigeria with the support of the Edo State Migration Agency.
Faith stated that she refused to engage in prostitution upon arriving in Mali, adding that she later sought help at a police station, which facilitated her rescue.
“I was told I would work in Lagos State as a sales girl. When we got to Lagos at night, we slept in a hotel.
“The following day, we went to Cotonou, and in Cotonou, I complained that we had passed Lagos State. She said we had not reached our destination. In Cotonou, she handed me to a driver who took me to Mali the next day. In Mali, they took me to one lady, but I saw that it was not what I was told. What they were doing there was prostitution, and I told her I cannot do prostitution.
“I said I want to go back home. She said I cannot go back until they bring another person to replace me. I was in Mali for three weeks before I ran to the police station.
“Life was not easy for me in Mali because I refused to do prostitution. It was people who were giving me money to eat until I was rescued,” Faith narrated.
In his remarks, the Director General of the Edo Migration Agency, Lucky Agazuma, urged the people of the state to report cases of human trafficking, adding that Governor Monday Okpebholo was resolute in tackling human traffickers and ensuring they are prosecuted.
