NAPTIP raises alarm over trafficking of girls from Mali to Edo State for prostitution

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raised the alarm that traffickers are now recruiting and trafficking girls from Mali to Edo State for prostitution. 

 

The Benin Zone Commander, NAPTIP, Nduka Nwanwene, disclosed this during the 2023 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in Benin, with the theme “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind”

He said:

“We just gathered intelligence that traffickers are bringing in young girls from Mali to Benin for prostitution; we are investigating. But many Nigerians, especially young girls, are stranded in Mali; over 20,000 Nigerian girls are stranded in Mali,” 

 

“Mali used to be a destination for girls trafficked from Nigeria but now the reverse is the case as Mali girls are being trafficked into Benin City for prostitution.”

 

He called on stakeholders to galvanise support towards addressing the menace of human trafficking and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.