1st November, 2010
A non-government organisation Concerned Journalists For Human Rights in collaboration with the Police and officials of the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related matters, NAPTIP have rescued 11 underage girls who were being used as prostitutes from three different brothels in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.
In a surprise raid, the group rescued three girls at Atlantic Hotel, Ikeja.
At Jas Hotel, Mafoluku, four girls were rescued while the other four girls were rescued at Onibegiloju Hotel, along Oshodi Road, Oshodi.
Speaking with P.M.NEWS after the operation, the National President of the organisation, Comrade Charles Ojo said the human rights group decided to take the action as underage girls have taken fully to the flesh trade.
“In 2007, we carried out this kind of exercise but it was more of an awareness campaign. This time around, any brothel habouring underage girls will be sanctioned.â€
When P.M.NEWS sought to know the sponsors of the programmes, he said all the members of the group contribute money to run the organisation and appealed to corporate bodies and well-meaning Nigerians to assist the group to fight the scourge.
Asked the role of NAPTIP in the fight against underage prostitution, he said, “the work of NAPTIP is enormous and they cannot be everywhere.
“That is why we as a human rights body decided to contribute our own quota by coming out to render our service. As you know, we don’t get paid for this. That is why we contribute money to run our organisation.â€
“Let me use this opportunity to warn all brothels operators to send the underage girls in their brothels away or face the wrath of the law.â€
—Yusuf Muhammed
