The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Ari Muhammad Ali, has confirmed that five underage girls used as sex slaves in one Fagoma Hotel at Aragba in Otokutu in Ughelli South LGA of the State, have been rescued.
Earlier, The Trumpet had reported that the Delta State Police Command has uncovered a hotel where underage girls and teenagers are used as sex slaves.
A human rights activist, Comrade Israel Joe, had disclosed the issue on Facebook and stated that people usually sleep with the girls for as low as five hundred naira (N500).
He further said that he immediately reported the issue to the State Commissioner of Police, who immediately mobilized a team of policemen and women with more than 15 patrol operational vehicles for a sting operation.
According to him, the operation led to the arrest of the hotel management, some alleged criminals using the place also as hideouts, many underage girls and people that were there to take their turns.
Confirming the report in a pressure briefing on Tuesday, CP Ali said the five rescued girls were trafficked from Rivers State to Patani in Delta for oat taking by a lady simply identified as Joy, who moved them to the hotel owners, Edwin Etariri and Grace Etariri for harbouring.
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He gave the names of the girls as Happiness Johnson age 13, Esther Godspower age 21, Angel John age 22, Miracle Bishop age 19 and Happiness Isreal age 19.
The CP further revealed that during the raid the owners of the hotel were arrested alongside 10 other male suspects and ten female suspected prostitutes.
He said, “On 15/4/2022 at about 2330hrs, the Command received information that Fagoma Hotel located at Aragba in Otokutu in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State is being used as a brothel where underage children are trafficked and used as sex slave.
“The command upon receiving this disturbing information raided the brothel and the following underage girls were rescued: Happiness Johnson ‘f’ age 13yrs; Esther Godspower ‘f’ age 21yrs; Angel John ‘f’ age 22yrs; Miracle Bishop ‘f’ age 19yrs and Happiness Isreal ‘f’ 19yrs.
“Investigations revealed that one Joy ‘f’ surname unknown now at large trafficked the underage girls from Rivers State took them to Patani where they were forced into taking an oath before they were brought to Out-Jeremi and harbored by one Edwin Etareri the owner of the said brothel and his wife one Mrs Grace Etariri currently in
custody.
“Ten other male suspects and ten female suspected prostitutes were also arrested during the raid. Investigation is ongoing.”