The Plateau State Government has apprehended a bar owner and another woman for allegedly trafficking three teenage girls to Ghana for sexual exploitation.
The main suspect, Mrs Yakubu, who operates a bar in the Rantya area of Jos, was on Thursday presented at the headquarters of the State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission alongside the three victims recently repatriated from Ghana.
The victims, aged 18 and 19, include two natives of Adamawa State and one from Plateau State.
Speaking with journalists, the Chairperson of the commission, Olivia Dazyam, said the rescue followed credible intelligence indicating that the girls had been lured out of the country under false promises.
She explained that the commission partnered with security agencies to secure their safe return to Jos.
Dazyam alleged that the suspects arranged the trip for the purpose of prostitution.
She further disclosed that preliminary findings suggest one of the suspect’s daughters is currently in Ghana in similar circumstances.
The commission’s chairperson warned that traffickers are embedded within communities and urged residents to remain alert.
She also revealed that two women were linked to the operation, including another suspect accused of facilitating the movement of two girls from Mangu to Ghana.
One of the girls reportedly escaped and has since reunited with her family.
Despite ongoing sensitisation campaigns, Dazyam lamented that some individuals continue to engage in human trafficking.
She noted that Governor Caleb Mutfwang had mandated the commission to publicly expose such crimes with evidence, adding that those found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
According to her, investigations are ongoing to unravel the extent of the alleged trafficking network, in collaboration with security operatives.
While admitting her involvement in facilitating the girls’ travel, Mrs Yakubu claimed she merely intended to assist them in securing jobs in Ghana, similar to her daughter.
She, however, declined to disclose the specific nature of the employment.
The victims, Humata Ilya, Sendy Emmanuel and Dorathy Yakubu, rejected her claims, maintaining that they were deceived and taken to Ghana for prostitution.
The suspects and the rescued girls have since been handed over to the state police command for further investigation and possible prosecution.
