Couple, others arrested for selling 13-year-old Ebonyi pupil for N150,000

A man, his wife and two other relations have been arrested for allegedly trafficking a 13-year-old girl, Chiamaka, to Burkina Faso, for prostitution.

The suspects were arrested by the police in Delta State, where the victim was lured to before being moved to the West African country.

The Secretary to the Ebonyi Progressives Union, Delta State, Emmanuel Uduma, who made the disclosure in Abakaliki on Sunday, while handing over the minor to the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Chinwe Okah, said Chiamaka was taken from her village at Ikwo, in the Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, with the promise of engaging her as a house help.

She was, however, taken to Burkina Faso for prostitution.

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According to him, Chiamaka was told on getting to the French-speaking country that she was bought with N150,000 and she would make N1.2m for her madam and work extra months to earn her freedom.

Uduma said the girl escaped and reported to the police, which led to her repatriation to Nigeria.

He said the culprits who lured the girl to Delta State before moving her to Burkina Faso were arrested by a team of policemen and the Ebonyi Forum in Delta State and were facing trial in court.

The chairman assured the commissioner that the group would ensure justice in the matter in order to serve as a deterrent to others.

The commissioner, while receiving Chiamaka, assured that the state government would continue to protect the interest of all residents and indigenes.

Okah, who was elated by the kind gesture of the forum, commended them for their effort in ensuring that the girl was brought back to the state.

She also appreciated the group for its response and ensuring that the case was taken to court for justice to take its full course.

She promised that the state government would take care of the victim and make her dream of going back to school a reality.

Punch