BY OUR CORRESPONDENT – For allegedly trafficking three girls to Ghana, a bar owner and her accomplice are currently cooling their feet in the custody of security operatives courtesy of the Plateau State Government
The bar owner, identified as Mrs. Yakubu, who operates in the Rantya community in Jos, was paraded at the Plateau State State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission (PLASGEOC) headquarters in Jos, the Plateau State capital, alongside the three rescued victims, who were repatriated from Ghana.
PLASGEOC disclosed in a statement that two of the trafficked girls, aged 18 and 19, are from Adamawa State, while the third is from Plateau State.
Chairperson of the PLASGEOC, Barrister Olivia Dazyam, told journalists that having received information about the trafficking, the Commission moved into action by collaborating with security agencies to bring the girls back safely.
She said, “At the State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, we received information about a woman who facilitated the trafficking of the girls from Plateau State to Ghana. By the grace of God and with the help of security agencies, they were safely returned to Jos.”
According to her, the suspects allegedly trafficked the girls for prostitution and that one of the suspect’s daughters is reportedly in Ghana under similar circumstances.
While expressing concern about such unholy practice, the PLASGEOC boss said, “We want the people of Plateau State to know that traffickers are living in our communities. As a matter of fact, two women were involved in this trafficking. One woman also facilitated the trafficking of two girls from Mangu to Ghana. One escaped, and by the grace of God, she is now back safely.”
Barrister Dazyam, who disclosed that the Commission is working and collaborating with various stakeholders to address the menace of girls’ trafficking, said, “There has been a lot of sensitization, but some persons are still bent on engaging in this criminal activity.”
She said further that Governor Caleb Mutfwang had directed the Commission to publicize such cases with evidence, warning traffickers in the state that there would be no hiding place for them on the Plateau.
Urging women and other stakeholders to join the fight against trafficking across the state, Dazyam assured that the suspects would face further investigation as the Commission seeks to uncover more about their activities.
“The repatriated girls have arrived safely, and the commission is working with security agencies to address the issue,” she said.
Confronted by journalists on the trafficking allegations, the bar owner, Mrs. Yakubu expressed regret over her actions but claimed she was only helping the girls secure employment like her daughter in Ghana.
However, pressed further to explain the so-called employment opportunities, she declined to give specific details about the nature of her daughter’s job in Ghana.
But countering Mrs. Yakubu’s narrative, the three victims, Humata Ilya, Sendy Emmanuel, and Dorathy Yakubu, insisted that they were deceived and lured to Ghana for prostitution
Meanwhile, latest information on the case indicate that the suspects and the three victims have been moved to the State Police Command for further investigation
