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Two young girls, aged 15 and 18, have been rescued from an alleged human trafficker in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, after they were lured with false job promises and subjected to confinement and intoxication.
According to a detailed Facebook post by Zege’Orkwande Sughnen Yaaya, the victims were approached by a female trafficker while searching for work at Gboko main market. The woman promised them employment and even enlisted their help in moving goods to her house, giving the girls hope of starting work in what she described as her “imagination shop.”
However, upon reaching the trafficker’s house, the situation took a dark turn. The two girls were allegedly confined and forced to consume excessive amounts of alcohol, which left them incapacitated. They reportedly slept until late the following day, after which the trafficker transported them to Makurdi and lodged them in a hotel with plans to move them further to Lagos.
The 15-year-old girl, referred to as Nan, is said to come from a broken home in Gboko LGA. She had been forced to drop out of school after her father sent her mother and siblings out of the house and remarried. The 18-year-old, who was wearing a white t-shirt in the accompanying images, lost her father and dropped out of school due to financial constraints after completing her JSCE exams.
The post highlights the vulnerability of young girls in the state who, due to family breakdowns and economic hardship, are pushed into the streets in search of survival. The author strongly recommended that the Benue State Government follow up on the investigation, ensure justice is served, and address the root causes by establishing skill acquisition centers and providing free education for all children.
This incident has sparked calls for greater awareness and government intervention to protect minors from human trafficking and exploitation, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds who are often targeted while seeking legitimate opportunities.
As of now, the girls have been rescued, and further investigations into the case are expected. Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities involving young girls being moved across locations.
Anyone with additional information about this case is encouraged to contact the relevant security agencies in Benue State.
