The National Agency for the
Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has threatened to
clampdown on operators of hospitality and recreation centres across
the country using underage for sexual services.
The Director-General, NAPTIP, Mrs Julie
Okah-Donli, gave the warning at a strategic meeting with some of the
agency’s partners on Thursday in Abuja.
She explained that the provisions of
the “Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and
Administration Act, 2015,’’ prohibits the harbouring of any
person under the age of 18 years in such places.
She warned that any hotel, brothel or
recreation facility that runs afoul of this law will not be spared by
the law.
“The trafficking in Persons Act 2015
is very clear on this and we will not allow the abuse and
exploitation of our children in hotels, brothels and other recreation
facilities across the country to continue unabated.
“Our children should at this age be
in schools to learn and develop properly and not be in hotels and
brothels being used as sex objects by criminals.
“We will engage our sister law
enforcement agencies to ensure compliance and anyone found culpable
will face the music, as we must implement this law to the letter
irrespective of who the owners of such facilities may be,’’ she
said.
The NAPTIP boss added that operatives
of the agency have been detailed to commence spontaneous raid of
suspected brothels and other questionable relaxation centres
suspected of harbouring children.
She noted that the intended operation
would not only set those innocent children free, but prosecuting the
operators.
Okah-Donli said that it was
unacceptable a situation where promising female children of Nigeria
would be used to satisfy the immoral appetite of their customers.
She cautioned those in the habit of
keeping under-aged children in brothels and other exploitative areas
to let them regain their freedom or would be dealt with accordingly.
“Available intelligence indicated
that hundreds of relaxation centres and brothels that were not
registered with Nigeria Tourism Development Board or any other
regulatory government institutions are operating presently.
“And keeping hundreds of our girls
and even boys in some cases as money making ventures, sexually
exploiting them on daily basis,” she said.
The director-general said that her
agency frowns at this evil act and would soon commence sting
operation in some identified black spots.
“Any centre found wanting will be
sealed up and the operators will face the law,’’ said Okah-Donli.
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