Rivers
Navy Raids Brothels, Rescues 50 Teenage Prostitutes
The Nigeria Navy says it has rescued 50 prostitutes and arrested three suspected sex traffickers during a major raid on two brothels in Port Harcourt.
Base Information Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Lt.-Cdr. Richard Iginla, paraded the suspects and rescued victims before newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Iginla said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Nigeria Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
According to him, the 50 prostitutes, mainly teenage girls, were rescued in the early hours of Saturday after a tip-off from NAPTIP.
“We got the intelligence from NAPTIP, which had been tracking the brothels that camped juveniles with some of them as young as 14 years of age.
“So, after NAPTIP shared intelligence with us, a joint team was set up and we immediately went into action to rescue the victims.
“About 50 young girls forced into prostitution were rescued, while three recruiters and operators of the brothels were arrested,” he said.
Iginla further said the brothels, Royal Brothel and Cool Breeze Brothel, both located on Azikiwe Road in Diobu area of Port Harcourt, had been shut down.
He said efforts were ongoing to trail and arrest the leaders of the sex trafficking ring, who recruits children from villages into prostitution.
“Children are gifts from God, and we must do everything humanly possible to protect them from all forms of abuse and exploitation.
“The Nigeria Navy will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to bring to justice criminal elements that traffic persons either on land or through the waterways.
“On conclusion of our investigation, the suspects and victims will be handed over to NAPTIP for further investigation and possible prosecution,” he added.
Speaking, the Head of NAPTIP in Rivers State, Mrs Nwa-amaka Ikediashi, said the agency would immediately rehabilitate the victims with focus on reintegrating them back into the society.
According to her, the victims, mainly under-aged girls, would also partake in different phases of counselling, to ensure they don’t continue prostitution.
“NAPTIP, as the focal agency mandated to fight all forms of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, will conduct proper investigation, to ensure justice is served,” she promised.
One of the rescued minors, an Anambra indigene, told The Tide source that she was trafficked from her village to work as a house help.
The victims said on her arrival to Port Harcourt in company of one of her kinswoman, she was forced into prostitution.
“One of my village woman (trafficker) brought me and two other girls from our village with the impression that we are coming to serve in a hotel.
“Shortly after we arrived at the hotel, she (trafficker) went outside and collected money from one woman (brothel operator). That was the last time I saw her (trafficker).
“Later, the woman, simply known as madam, put us in a room and told us that we would work as Ashawo (prostitute),” she said.
The victim said she immediately refused to work as a prostitute but that after the operator threatened her with torture and starvation, she gave in.
“In a day I sleep with more than 10 men, and whatever money I make, I give it to my madam.
“We hustle by wearing pants to seduce the men. After admiring what they see, they (men) take us into the room, have sex with us and give us money.
“We do a daily account of any money we collect to our madam’s sister, who calculates and gives us our cut,” she added.
Rivers
Motor Spare Parts, Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union Swears Gets New Chairman in Port Harcourt
The Owhonda Dickson Motor Spare Parts and Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union operating in Ikoku Port Harcourt, Rivers state has sworn in Mr. Cyril Igbokwe, popularly known as Onyeoma Cy, as its new Chairman.
The brief swearing _in ceremony was held at the union office in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Igbokwe expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence his members had shown in him, despite his perceived educational background compared to others. , “I feel very happy to be the chairman of this great union in this great market. I’m proud of my executives for demonstrating commitment and cooperation.” Notably, the executives raised over ?1 million for the inauguration ceremony within an hour.
The new Chairman promised to tackle key challenges facing the union, including security and indiscipline. He vowed to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, who he praised for excellent performance, and aimed to possibly do better.
Mr. Igbokwe emphasized maintaining a robust relationship with the host community and conducting his affairs within the ambit of the law.
In his remarks,the Electoral Committee Chairman’, Igwe Amobichukwu Eze Okorie, assured that the elections were conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner. Despite facing challenges such as non-compliance with guidelines and unfounded propaganda campaigns, no formal protest letters had been received.
Also speaking, the Women’s Leader, Lolo Nkechinyere Okolie, expressed faith in the new Chairman, citing his integrity and experience. She highlighted her role in ensuring women’s voices are counted in the union and vouched for the credibility of the election, noting that Mr. Igbokwe was the popular choice among members.
Rivers
CDS Urges Communities To Protect Pipelines
Rivers
Monarch Cautions Youths Against Illicit Drug Consumption
-
News1 day ago
FG Renames University of Maiduguri After Buhari …As Tinubu Pours Encomiums On Late President
-
News1 day ago
PCRC Dismisses Claims Of Police Strike As Fake, Mischievous
-
News1 day ago
Rivers PDP Debunks Sale Of LGA Election Forms
-
Niger Delta1 day ago
Bishop Mocks Fake Prophecy Seekers … As Priests Relive Challenges At Ordination Ceremony
-
Rivers1 day ago
Macobarb CEO Cries Out, Says No Indigenous Contractor Can Win Case Against NLNG Or Oil Majors in Nigerian Courts …As Justice Nwogu Throws Out Macobarb’s N5.74bn Claim
-
Rivers1 day ago
Motor Spare Parts, Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union Swears Gets New Chairman in Port Harcourt
-
News1 day ago
NUP Denies Planned Protest Over N32,000 Pension Increment
-
Women1 day ago
What To Know About Fufu, Loi Loi