Human trafficking network dismantled in Kharakhéna, Nigeria, involving minors and debt exploitation
via SeneNews3 min read
A human trafficking and pimping network, allegedly exploiting young Nigerian women, has been dismantled in Kharakhéna following an operation by the National Division for Combating Human Trafficking DNLT. The investigation began on June 21 after the Kédougou regional DNLT received information about young Nigerian girls being housed and forced into prostitution in Kharakhéna. They were reportedly compelled to give a significant portion of their earnings to a woman identified as Chukwujekwu Abugu, also known as "Angel," who was described as the manager of the premises. This money was supposedly to repay travel expenses incurred for their journey to Senegal, indicating a system based on debt, economic coercion, and clandestine cross-border movement. During the intervention, investigators apprehended Chukwujekwu Abugu and four Nigerian girls. Among them were two 17-year-old minors, C. Eke and A. Raphaël, and two other young women, C. Eze and E. James. The latter two stated they were transported from Nigeria to Senegal and then placed under Abugu's responsibility. The girls were housed in rooms where they engaged in prostitution and were forced to pay substantial amounts to their alleged manager. Each girl was reportedly required to pay up to 1,500,000 FCFA as reimbursement for transport costs, in addition to a daily fee of 1,500 FCFA for room rental. The two minors were allegedly introduced into this network by intermediaries known as "Princess" and "Ijoma" before being handed ove
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