Police Apprehend Syndicate for Trafficking Girls to Mauritania

The Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos has apprehended a syndicate involved in trafficking girls from Nigeria to Mauritania for prostitution. Two suspects were detained, with one admitting to recruiting girls for a woman in Mauritania. The investigation remains ongoing, with charges expected to follow.

Operatives at the Zone 2 Police Command in Onikan, Lagos, have successfully detained a syndicate believed to be trafficking girls from Nigeria to Mauritania for prostitution and sexual exploitation. This operation took place on March 22, confirmed by the Zonal Public Relations Officer, CSP Umma Ayuba, in a statement released in Lagos.

Led by SP Francis Kpoughul, the Zonal Intelligence Response Squad (ZIRS) apprehended two suspects at their base in the Meiran area. The ZPRO indicated that the suspects admitted to their involvement in the trafficking activities during their interrogation.

One suspect revealed that she was recruited by a woman based in Mauritania, who had previously been prosecuted for similar offenses and is currently incarcerated. She disclosed that this woman had contracted her to recruit girls under the age of 22 for sex work in Mauritania, and received ₦50,000 as a commission for each girl sent.

Among the girls she recruited was her own 19-year-old daughter. The suspect further acknowledged that she had earned over ₦500,000 from the Mauritanian woman for her efforts. The second suspect, who was contracted by the first, attempted to recruit girls as domestic staff but later discovered their intended purpose. After recognizing the exploitation, she withdrew from the arrangement.

The ZPRO stated that the investigation is still in progress, with the suspects expected to be charged in court upon completion of the inquiry.

The recent police operation has yielded significant results in combating human trafficking between Nigeria and Mauritania. The suspects’ admissions reveal a disturbing network of exploitation targeting vulnerable girls. Authorities continue to investigate this case with the aim of delivering justice and preventing further instances of trafficking.

Original Source: newsdiaryonline.com