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A shocking and heartbreaking story has come out of Ogun State that has left Nigerians stunned. The Amotekun Corps, a security group in the South-West, has broken up a cruel sex trafficking syndicate that was using young girls, some as young as 12, as prostitutes.
A 14-year-old girl from Akwa Ibom, who was tricked into coming to Ogun State, shared a painful story. She said she was forced to sleep with 12 to 20 men every day for as little as ₦1,000 per session.
This terrible discovery has made people angry and sad, and many are calling for justice for these girls. Read our trending Post: I Am Just 18, No Parents, I Sell This to Survive – Young Girl in Nsukka Speaks from Her Heart, Seeks a Man to Care for Her
The Amotekun Corps carried out a raid on Wednesday, 12 February 2025, at the Railway Line Hotel, located at Old Bank Bus Stop in Ifo town, Ogun State. They got a tip from someone in the community on 8 February, which helped them plan the rescue. During the raid, they saved 16 girls, aged between 12 and 29 years old. Out of these, 14 were brought from Akwa Ibom, one from Cross River, and one from Delta State.
The group was led by a woman named Mrs. Edem Joy, who said she worked for a 60-year-old woman named Mrs. Okutoro Yemisi, the owner of the hotel. Mrs. Okutoro Yemisi is still on the run, and the police are looking for her.
One of the girls, a 14-year-old who was in JSS3 before she dropped out, told a very sad story. She said she was promised a job as a sales girl in Ogun State. She left Akwa Ibom on 29 January 2024, thinking she would have a better life. But when she arrived, everything changed.
Mrs. Edem Joy gave her drugs to make her weak and scared. They cut her hair and told her that if she tried to run away, they would use her hair to kill her through rituals. She was forced to work as a prostitute, serving many men every day. She said she could make up to ₦20,000 some days, but all the money went to Mrs. Edem Joy, who only gave the girls food in return.
The syndicate had a cruel way of keeping the girls trapped. They made the girls swear oaths using their blood, hair, or even the Bible, saying they would die if they told anyone or tried to escape. Some girls were stripped naked during these oaths, which made them very afraid.
The traffickers also gave them drugs and charms to control them. They promised the girls freedom after one year, along with a phone and a box of clothes, but many were too scared to believe it. The most shocking part is that the girls had to give used tissues from their customers to Mrs. Edem Joy. They said she kept the tissues for ritual purposes, which made the girls even more frightened.
During the raid, Amotekun found many things at the hotel. They recovered ₦819,600 in cash, packs of condoms, female condoms, lubricants, tissue papers, drugs, and a local herbal mixture that might be used for rituals.
They also found substances suspected to be Indian hemp and energy-enhancing drugs. The youngest girl rescued was only 12 years old, which has made people very upset. Some of the girls are in bad health, and reports say a few even tested positive for HIV. The girls are now with the authorities, who are working to help them heal and return to their families.
Mrs. Edem Joy, who is now in custody, claimed she did not force the girls to do anything. She said they knew about the job from the start and could leave if they wanted. She also said she sent some of the money to the people who brought the girls to her. But the girls’ stories show they were tricked and scared, not given a choice.
Amotekun arrested 15 people, including Mrs. Edem Joy, Godwin Bassey, Okon Lovett, Eden Miracle, Monday Angel, Marvelous Samuel, Anabell Udo, Ubong Rejoice, Edaefe Sharon, Edet Nice, and Asukwo Gift. The police are still searching for Mrs. Okutoro Yemisi.
A lawyer named Barrister Adedamola Lapite, who helps protect children’s rights, spoke about the case. He said that under Ogun State’s laws, children under 18 cannot agree to do sexual activities, even if they say yes.
He called Mrs. Edem Joy’s claims nonsense and said the law is clear that these girls were victims. He also said poverty and lack of punishment for traffickers are big reasons why this keeps happening. He wants the government to punish the criminals and help the girls get better.
People across Nigeria are talking about this story. On social media, many are angry and want the traffickers to face justice. One person wrote, “How can anyone do this to a 12-year-old? This is pure evil!” Another said, “Amotekun has done well, but the government must make sure this stops.”
Dr. Grace Oyetade, who fights for women’s rights, said this case shows how bad human trafficking is in Nigeria. She wants the government to help the girls heal and teach people about the dangers of trafficking.
