The Plateau State Government has arrested a bar owner and another woman for allegedly trafficking three girls to Ghana.

The pregnant woman, identified as Mrs Yakubu, who operates a bar at the Rantya community in Jos, was paraded on Thursday at the State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission’s headquarters in Jos alongside the three trafficked victims who were rescued from Ghana

Two of the girls, aged between 18 and 19 years, were from Adamawa state, while one was from Plateau state.

Briefing journalists on the situation, the chairperson of the State Gender Commission, Olivia Dazyam, disclosed that the commission received information about the trafficking and worked with security agencies to repatriate the girls.

“At the state Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, we received information about a woman that caused the movement of two girls from Plateau State to Ghana. God helped the two girls, and they were able to get back to Jos with the help of the security agencies,” Dazyam said.

According to her, the suspects allegedly trafficked the girls to Ghana for prostitution, receiving “blood money” from the victims’ activities.

She said one of the suspects’ own daughters is reportedly in Ghana, involved in the same situation.

Dazyam expressed concern, saying, “We want to let the people of Plateau State know that traffickers are living in our communities.Why would you want to send young girls to Ghana to go and do what?”

“As a matter of fact, two women were involved in the trafficking. One woman has also caused the trafficking of two girls from Mangu to Ghana. One escaped, and by the grace of God, she’s back safely now. We are saying this because we want to let the people of Plateau State know that traffickers are living in our communities. I do not know whether they have any excuse whether to say this is out of ignorance. There has been a lot of sensitisation out there. Why would you want to send young girls to Ghana to go and do what? As we speak, one of the suspects, her own daughter 18 or 19-year-old girl, is in Ghana. What is she doing in Ghana?” she added.

The chairperson stressed that Governor Caleb Mutfwang had mandated the commission to publicise such cases with evidence.

Dazyam warned traffickers that they will no longer be kept quiet and urged Plateau women to join the fight against trafficking.

She added that the suspects will face further investigation and that the commission aims to uncover more about their activities.

“The repatriated girls have arrived safely, and the commission is working with security agencies to address the issue”, she added

In an interview, the suspect, Mrs Yakubu, expressed regret over her actions but claimed that she was only helping the girls to secure a good job like her daughter in Ghana.

She, however, declined to mention the nature of the business her daughter was doing in Ghana

But the three victims, Humata Ilya, Sendy Emmanuel and Dorathy Yakubu, in separate interviews, countered Mrs Yakubu’s narrative and insisted that they were deceived by the suspect and lured into Ghana for prostitution

Emmanuel said, “She (suspect)deceived us. We were deceived. She told us that her daughter is doing gold business in Ghana, not knowing that we were going into prostitution ”

Our Correspondent reports that the suspect and the three trafficked victims were later moved to the state CID for further investigation.

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The monarch of Agamọ Community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Kehinde Falodun, has reportedly been killed by suspected bandits.

It was gathered that the traditional ruler was murdered on Wednesday evening while resisting an attempt by the gunmen to abduct him.

A source in the community said about 10 armed men stormed the palace and attempted to kidnap the monarch, but he resisted them.

According to the source, when the assailants allegedly shot at him several times and the bullets did not penetrate, they reportedly struck his head with a heavy object, leading to his death.

Confirming the incident to our correspondent in a statement on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ondo State Police Command, Mr Abayomi Jimoh, said an investigation had commenced into the matter.

According to him, efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

“The victim was later found a few metres away with gunshot wounds. He was confirmed dead at the scene.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), alongside tactical teams from the command, promptly mobilised officers in collaboration with local security outfits.

“Atuluse Security, local hunters, and Amotekun operatives also assisted in combing adjoining bushes and surrounding areas in a bid to apprehend the perpetrators. Efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

“Monitoring and surveillance activities have been intensified across the area to ensure the safety of residents and prevent further breakdown of law and order.

“The public is assured that no stone will be left unturned in bringing those responsible for the heinous act to justice,” he said.

PUNCH Online reports that the incident comes weeks after suspected bandits attacked Ayede Community in the same local government area and abducted a pregnant woman, Mrs Mary Jesulayomi, who was later released after a ransom was reportedly paid.

Days after that incident, the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, arrested 12 men suspected of being involved in banditry in the area.

Residents have expressed concern over the growing insecurity in Akure North, calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to restore peace in the affected communities.

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The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has confirmed that the sexual assault case involving TikTok user Mirabel (@mirab351), who claimed she was raped in her apartment by a stranger, has been referred to authorities in Ogun State.

In a statement on Wednesday, the agency said it had successfully contacted a close friend of the survivor, who confirmed she had been discharged from the hospital.

The case had sparked widespread concern online, trending under the hashtag #StopRapingWomen on X (formerly Twitter), with thousands calling for urgent action against sexual assault and greater protection for survivors.

“Following our earlier statement and the widespread public response, we successfully established communication with a close friend of the survivor who confirmed that she had been discharged from the hospital.

“We sincerely appreciate members of the public who provided helpful information via our direct messages, as well as everyone who tagged the Agency to ensure swift intervention,” the agency said.

The alleged assault reportedly occurred on Sunday, February 15, with the survivor posting about the incident on Monday.

The DSVA clarified that the incident took place in Ogun State, outside its jurisdiction.

“We have since confirmed that the incident occurred in Ogun State and is therefore outside the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency.

“In the spirit of interagency collaboration and survivor protection, all relevant information at our disposal has been forwarded to the appropriate authorities in Ogun State.”

The agency expressed confidence that the Ogun State Police Command is handling the matter and that the survivor would cooperate with authorities for a thorough investigation.

“We understand that the Ogun State Police Command is currently handling the matter, and we trust that the survivor will fully cooperate with the appropriate authorities to enable a thorough investigation and due process,” the statement said.

DSVA also reiterated its commitment to support survivors and maintain accessible channels for reporting sexual violence.

The agency provided multiple contacts for assistance, including a direct line (0813-796-0048), toll-free number (0-8000-333-333), MTN USSD code (*6820#), and WhatsApp AI Chatbox (0812-893-7058).