In a distressing case of human trafficking, a 56-year-old carpenter, Babatunde Oluwasola, and a 47-year-old trader named Dada Fowowe have been apprehended for their involvement in trafficking a 15-year-old girl and two others to Libya, allegedly for prostitution.
Officials from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ondo state were responsible for the suspects’ arrest.
The victims, lured by the promise of lucrative job opportunities and a better life abroad, were reportedly recruited and transported to Libya by Babatunde, who hails from Osun state but resides in Akure. Dada, also residing in Akure, was instrumental in facilitating one of the victims’ recruitment.
Babatunde, known by the nickname “Osanle,” took it upon himself to transport the victims through the perilous desert route to Libya, where they were intended to commence their illicit activities.
The ordeal for the 15-year-old girl, who had previously lived with her parents, took a harrowing turn when she realized that the reality in Libya was far from the promises made by the suspects. Overwhelmed and desperate to escape her dire circumstances, she managed to contact her father, who had been searching for her.
It was only upon her arrival in Libya that she could reveal the deception by the traffickers. Distraught and deceived, she decided to confide in her father, leading him to report the situation to the state command of the NSCDC.
As of now, the whereabouts of the two other girls remain unknown.
A spokesperson for the NSCDC command, Aidamenbor Daniel, confirmed the arrest of the two suspects. Daniel added that “the suspects have already made confessional statements, and after our investigation, the case will be transferred to NAPTIP for further actions.”
