By Correspondent in Lokoja
The Association for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, an NGO in Nigeria, (AONN) has called on the Commissioner of Police in kogi state, Ayuba Edeh Ekpeji,to investigate the alleged use of teenage girls for prostitution and sex slavery in the State.
This is with a view to nsuring that all those culpable in the suspected act are made to face the full wrought of the law
AONN made the call in a statement signed by its State coordinator Abaniwo C. Nathaniel on Wednesday in Lokoja while reacting to a recent investigation reportedly conducted by Wadata Media and Advocacy Center, Abuja on the issue.
Nathalie, who said that the association, knre of the alleged development through the recent investigation conducted by Wadata Media and Advocacy Center, Abuja condemned such behaviour and described it as henious crime against humanity.
The association noted that an investigation by the centre showed that some girls were being trafficked for prostitution from some northern states and two neighbouring countries from North Africa,,enroute Kasuwan-Ruwa,a Suburb of Lokoja,the State capital.
The association said:'”The investigation further revealed that during the day in Kasuwan-Ruwa, traders converge to sell yam but at night, sell their bodies.
“We call on the Commissioner of Police to as a matter of urgent priority commence investigation on this allegation and ensure all culpable is made to face the full wrought of the law. No sacred cow should be speared.
“Taking into cognisance the psychological trauma the victims might have been subjected to, we recommend that the Honourable Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development direct the Directors of child Development and Social Welfare to ensure that the girls concerned are provided with psychosocial support (PSS) services.”
AONN also advocated reintegration of the affected girls to their respective families.
AONN commended the wisdom and painstaking effort of Wadata media and advocacy center for conducting the investigation and making known, the outcome of its findings to the general public.
According to the association, part 3 section 30, subsection (2) of the Kogi State Child Right, 2009 a child shall not not be used for;
(a) the purpose of begging for alms, guiding beggers, prostitution, domestic or sexual labour or for any unlawful or immoral purpose or.
Section (b) also stipulates no child should be used as slave or for practice similar to slavery such as scale or trafficking or the child debt bondage or serfdom and forced or compulsory labour.
(d) for any purpose that deprives the child of the opportunity to attend and remain in school as provided for under the compulsory, free universal basic education law.
AONN commended the prompt response of the Kogi State government, through the Commissioner of women affairs and social development, Hajia Fatima Kabir Buba,who vowed to clamp down on cartels behind use of the under-aged girls for prostitution and sex slavery with promise to bring all the perpetuators of the crime to book.
“AONN, in line with her mandate, will give the Honourable Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development all the technical supports required to ensure that all the cartels involved in this heinous act are brought to justice,” Nathaliel said.
