NAPTIP raises alarm over trafficking of Malian girls into Edo for prostitution

<p>Nwawenene said all hands must be on deck to curb the trafficking, particularly of Persons with Disabilities for exploitation and organ harvesting.</p>, <h2>The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) raised alarm in Benin on Sunday about the trafficking of Malian girls to the Edo capital for prostitution.</h2>, <p>“We gathered intelligence reports that victims are now being trafficked from Mali into Benin for prostitution and we are investigating.</p>, <p>“Before now, more than 20,000 Nigerian girls were stranded in Mali.</p>, <p>“Mali used to be one of the destinations for trafficked Nigerian girls.</p>, <p>“Now the reverse is the case as Malian girls are being trafficked into Nigeria, Nduka Nwawenene, NAPTIP Commander, Benin Zonal Office, said during a Road Walk.</p>, <p>NAPTIP organised the Walk to mark the 2023 World Day against Trafficking in Persons.</p>, <p>“Before now, we heard stories about Malian men ready to do anything to meet with Nigerian girls.</p>, <p>“Victims have confessed that they make more money in Mali and that Malian men would spend everything they had to get cosy with Nigerian girls.</p>, <p>“But now the reverse is the case; their girls are the ones coming to Benin and we are investigating,’’ he said.</p>, <p>Speaking on the theme for the 2023 celebrations, Nwawenene said all hands must be on deck to curb the trafficking, particularly of Persons with Disabilities for exploitation and organ harvesting.</p>, <p>“We do not have the statistics of hearing-impaired persons already trafficked, but their group claims that some of them had been trafficked and that they were used for domestic jobs and other exploitation.</p>, <p>“Now that we have brought them into our fold, we will collect their statistics to enable NAPTIP to rescue and to rehabilitate them,’’ he said.</p>, <p>The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the event was supported by the International Organisation for Migration and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, among other stakeholders.<