The Benin zonal command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it arrested three women for human trafficking and child abuse.

The zonal commander, Nduka Nwanwenne, who spoke in an interview on Monday, said the agency made the arrests at different locations in Benin during the weekend.

Mr Nwanwenne explained that one of the suspects was arrested for alleged human trafficking, while the other two were arrested for child abuse.

He said an 18-year-old suspect was arrested for recruiting two young girls aged 17 and 16 for another suspected human trafficker resident in the Benin Republic.

“The suspect in (the) Benin Republic had requested from the suspect, who is now in our custody and her childhood friend, for girls for ‘hook up’ which is also known as prostitution. She had also sent money for clothes and transportation for the girls to the Republic of Benin,” said Mr Nwanwenne.

He added, “The victims were en route when they were intercepted by men of the Nigerian Immigration Service and handed over to NAPTIP.”

The zonal commander further explained that one of the suspects in the child abuse case, a 32-year-old lady, had inflicted injuries on her 11-year-old cousin with a mop stick for mistakenly breaking a glass cup.

He also mentioned that the victim was usually forced to sleep on the floor or corridor for any misdemeanour despite waking up at 5:00 a.m. to start the house chores.

“Investigation is still ongoing while the victim has been taken to NAPTIP for medical attention,” Mr Nwanwenne disclosed.

(NAN)