– Rescued 14-year old sex worker

A 14-year old survivor of sex trafficking in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, has narrated to men of the Ogun State Amotekun Corps, how she used to sleep with at least 10 to 12 men per day while in the camp.

The survivor (name withheld), a native of Akwa Ibom State, was trafficked to Ogun State on January 29, 2024.

The state Amotekun Corps at about 6:15 am on Wednesday, raided the sex trafficking camp in Ifo local government area of the state, leading to the arrest of 15 suspects and their boss identified as Idem Joy.

Reports had it that the victims, between the ages of 12 and 39, were used for prostitution at the Railway line hotel, located along the old bank road in Ifo.

Some of the items recovered included, the sum of N819,600, various types of drug, carton of condoms, energy enhancer, lubricants and packs of tissue papers, among others.

The Corps Commandant, Brigadier General Alade Adedigba (retd.), while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta, said 14 of the girls were trafficked from Akwa Ibom, with the others from Cross River and Delta states.

According to him, the survivors on questioning, disclosed that they were coerced into taking an oath, a traumatic experience that involved being stripped naked and having parts of their hair cut off for alleged ritual purposes to scare them from running away or confessing.

“The 14-year old survivor said before her arrival, she was told that she would serve as a sales girl. But on getting to the state, she found herself in prostitution.

“They did not tell me that this is what I will be doing; they only told me that I would be a sales girl when I arrived. So I came with my friend, Glory, but she works at another hotel.

“On getting here, I was given some drugs to take before I started the work. She (Idem Joy) cut some hair from my head and said if I attempt to run, she would use my hair to kill me.

“For some, she took their pictures and others their blood,” she narrated.

When asked how much she was paid, she said, “Sometimes I make N20,000 per day depending on the turnout. I sleep with 10 to 12 men a day, they pay N1,000 or N2,000 it depends.”

Also speaking, a 17-year old girl (name withheld), disclosed that she was brought into the state on November 7, 2024.

She mentioned that she was asked to swear an oath while standing naked on a bible and was to work for one year before regaining her freedom.

“I don’t know the woman before, I was brought to the state by her sister named Favour. It was when we arrived in Ogun State, that she told me what the work was all about.

“She cut my hair and I stood naked on a bible to swear an oath. For some of us, she used cotton wool to clean our private parts, so that we can’t run away.

“My customers pay me N5,000, N2,000, but most times, N1,000. She promised me that once I work well, I’m free to go after one year and she would buy me a phone and a box filled with clothes.

“Sometimes, I have 10 customers per day. And when I’m paid after sex, I give her all the money. I just want to go back,” she cried.