‘We Were Forced to Sleep with 10 Men Everyday for Higher Income’

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Some girls rescued from a brothel for allegedly engaging in prostitution in Anambra State have revealed that those who introduced them to the act always compelled them to sleep with at least 10 men everyday.

The girls, who were about 20 in number, including two under-aged girls, said the motive was for them to make money for the owner of the brothel and those who introduced them to the business.

They were rescued at Oba in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state by officials of the state Ministry of Women’s Affairs and men of the Anambra State Police Command.

“We were given N500 every morning for feeding, and after that we were compelled to sleep with men. Sometimes, we were beaten when we failed to sleep with up to 10 men in a day.

“Sometimes, we made N4,000 on week days, but during the weekends, we made up to N10,000 and sometimes N15,000. The owner of the hotel usually takes the money,” one of the girls identified as Ebere, said.

The state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, said arrests have been made, and pledged to ensure that justice is served on the culprits.

She said: “Before embarking on this raid, investigation was carried out by the ministry, and it was discovered that the management of the hotel, ‘Ten Top’, in Oba traffics girls from all parts of the country for prostitution purposes.

“The state government is committed to ending all forms of child-kidnapping, trafficking and sex slavery in the state, and we urge Ndị Anambra to always report any suspicious activity around their vicinity for prompt response and action.”

The rescued girls were said to be between the ages of 16 and 24 years.

Obinabo said the owner of the brothel and some other ladies who lured the girls to the brothel were arrested, and will be arraigned before the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate Court in Awka after investigations.