The Plateau State Government has expressed concern over the rising cases of human trafficking following the rescue and return of three young women who were allegedly trafficked to Mali and forced into prostitution.
The victims were handed over by the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation to officials of the Plateau State Liaison Office in Lagos on Sunday for onward rehabilitation and reintegration by the state’s Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission.
The victims, identified as Victoria, 23, from Delta State, and Joy and Janet, both 22 and 23 respectively from Plateau State, recounted how they were lured with promises of legitimate employment but ended up in sexual exploitation in Mali.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Special Adviser to the Governor Caleb Muftwang on Gender Matters and Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, Olivia Dazyam, said the state was increasingly worried by the growing menace of human trafficking, particularly among vulnerable women and children.
According to her, many young Nigerians searching for better opportunities are being deceived by traffickers posing as recruiters and benefactors.
