By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Akwa Ibom has raided a hotel in Ini Local Government Area of the state and rescued two underage girls.
The raid followed intelligence volunteered by one Glory, a 17 years old who was assisted to escape after being lured into sleeping with men at the hotel against her wish.
The State Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Ekerete Friday, in statement made available to newsmen on Thursday said that the victims aged 18 and 25 comffirmed sleeping with men from time to time and handover all the proceeds to one Mrs Imaobong, wife of the operator of the hotel.
According to the statement, Glory was lured to work at the hotel as a sales attendant at the Bar/Restaurant section and was dutifully carrying out her roles until she was mandated by Madam Imaobong, to sleep with a man against her wish, adding that she escaped and contacted officials of the NSCDC in the state who acted swiftly.
“The Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps acting on intelligence has raided a hotel in Ini LGA of Akwa Ibom State suspected to be engaged in under-aged prostitution.
“The raid which was carried out on Saturday, July 15, 2023 followed from intelligence provided by one of the victims who was assisted to escape after being lured into sleeping with men at the hotel against her wish.
“The young girl, Glory (surname withheld) ‘F’, 17years was taken from her parents to work at the hotel, as a sales person in the Bar/Restaurant section by a woman identified as Mrs Imaobong.
“She said she was carrying out tasks assigned to her until a customer pointed to her that he wanted her. The woman then gave her condom and asked her to sleep with the customer which see refused.
“She was able to escape through assistance, after which she reached out to NSCDC, who raided the premise.
“The operator of the hotel identified as Mr Ikpe and Imaobong were at large as at when operatives of NSCDC arrived the hotel. Efforts to apprehend them is still on. Two ladies were picked up from the hotel; one is 18years old and the other is 25years old.
“In the statement voluntarily provided, the ladies affirmed that they please men from time to time and handover all monies generated from the act to Madam Imaobong.
” The suspect uses deceit of job offer to minors and young girls, only to use them for prostitution.
The suspect changes their names once they get to the hotel. She gives them another name which they bear for prostitution purpose.One of the victims is a minor, while the other girl recently clocked 18years.” The statement said.
Meanwhile ,the State Commandant of NSCDC, Eluyemi Eluwade has warned parents and guardians to be wary of the new tactics deployed by these unscrupulous elements to lure young girls into unwholesome practice.
“They will come to you and ask for your child to come work as house help or sales girls. I don’t advise anyone to release a child, especially a girl child that is less than 18 or has not finished secondary school.
” Akwa Ibom State has a free and compulsory education policy up to secondary school level. Don’t be deceived. Let your children go to school. The two girls are not through with their secondary education. Parents, please take your responsibilities as parents more serious, don’t be enticed by short term pecuniary gains” He advised.
” The victims and other suspects picked up at the hotel will be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for more investigation and rehabilitation of the victims.” It said.
