One Ms.Akundo is being investigated by the Anti-kidnapping unit of Rivers State Police Command at Miniokoro, Obio/Akpor LGA for allegedly trafficking two underage girls,Anita aged 17 year and Favour aged 16 year, both residents of Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State to Burkina faso last month.
We learnt that Ms.Akundo arrest followed a complaint filed at boundary Police Division, Aluu by mother of Anita(one of the trafficked victim) still held captive in Burkina Faso.
We gathered that the Police Division also arrested one Linda, a female harbouring Akundo in her house and a boy, Ibuchi whom Akundo sent to call Anita on the fateful day the meeting was held.
The Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command,SP Grace Iringe Koko confirmed the incident.
SP Koko said “Yes the anti-kidnapping unit is investigating while the suspects have been arrested.The Police is making efforts and exploring all options to rescue the girl from Burkinafaso”.
Meanwhile, a sixteen year old girl, Favour(surname withheld) who said she was trafficked alongside 17 year old Anita to Burkinafaso in an audio message stated that Akundo, the prime suspect, deceived and lured her into the deal. Favour in the audio message, however, exonerated Ibuchi, the boy whom Akundo sent to call Anita of any wrong doing.
Favour said “I used to know Akundo when she was staying at pipeline Aluu. I used to go and see my friend there. Then Akundo was pregnant.
“After I visited her when she gave birth, we did not see again for a long time. One day while I was at a chemist at Aluu, a boy came to call me that Akundo was calling me. Akundo told me, house problem brought her to the area in Aluu where I am staying, that she(Akundo) is staying with her friend called Linda.
“Akundo said there is one work that they would give her one million that she would share the money and give me my own.
“Because I needed money to write WAEC, I agreed, She told me one Anita will be involved too. I don’t know the girl before, it was there I knew her.
“As I came, she told Ibuchi to go and call Anita in her house. After Ibuchi called Anita,he left. Me,Anita and Akundo were thinking what to do Though I was not aware is that kind of work but I was interested when I heard one million naira,so I will collect my share that I will use to pay for WAEC.
“One boy called Praise carried us in a vehicle to that place. So when we got there, they seized our phone and sent Akundo one million naira. They carried us and crossed Nigeria border.
“I started crying and asking them,where we were going.They said we have not reached the place.We stayed one week on the road before reaching Burkinafaso .
“When we got there they told us is prostitution we came to do.They did not put me and Anita the same place.They put us in different places.They starting beating me, maltreating me.
“If you did not work,that is sleep up to fifteen men a day they will beat you.They said I will pay 1.6million for them to free me and give me my phone.
“Sometimes if I don’t corporate they will beat me. One day As I was going to work that night,I went to report to Police station. The Police in Burkinafaso said they would help me to go back to Nigeria.
“The Police asked me what is the name of our Of Oga, I told them is big Daddy. They called the Big Daddy.He narrated how Akundo brings small girls to them, that the girls are looking for work.
“I told them the Big Daddy is with my phone.The DPO of the station asked if I will wait in the station so that I can get my phone or I will leave my phone and go.
“I told the Police I cannot wait for the phone that I want to go So the Police put me in a vehicle that dropped me at Cotonou.
“I used peoples phone to call my mother while at Cotonou since I have her number off hand. She called my elder brother who is in overseas and told him what happened. My Elder brother was angry.
“He sent transport to my mother, 50,000 to send to me that I used in coming back through Seme -border.