From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has vowed to clamp down on all the cartels behind the use of under aged girls for prostitution and sex slavery in the state.
It was gathered that some girls were trafficked from the northern parts of the country and other neighbouring countries like Chad and Niger republic into Kasuwan-ruwa, a subub of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital for prostitution.
More worrisome according to our investigation was that, the man who was allegedly behind the trafficking of these girls and identified as small lusher( not real name) gets the lion share of these girls’ sex working.
Further findings revealed that that the girls were either convinced to relocate to Lokoja with the promise of giving them job by their master (Small Lusher) but later end up becoming a prostitute and sex slave.
While residents of the community have continued to point accusing fingers at some security agencies for aiding and abating this illegal business which according to them has exposed the girl child to insecurities, psychological trauma and diseases after sleeping with men.
It was also learnt that some of these girls get pregnant on regular basis, abandoned their babies after given birth while those who could not carry the baby were compelled to abort the pregnancy.
Reacting to the discoveries, the Kogi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Hon Hajiya ( Mrs) Fatima Kabir Buba said all the perpetuators of this crime will be brought to book.
She described the crime as heinous, adding that the government was not aware of the operation of such cartel in the state which according to her is against the provision of the child right act.
Hajia Buba noted that the Kogi State Government under Alhaji Yahaya Bello will not condole any act of human trafficking or sexual exploitations in the state adding
“We won’t allow any disgruntled element to come here and sabotage the effort of his excellency.”
” Am assuring the general public that this matter will not be swept under the carpet and will be investigated to a logical conclusion. Whoever that is behind this, no matter how highly placed in the society, must face the full wrath of the law.” She added.
