Police Arrest Nigerian Woman For Trafficking 7 Girls

The Western Regional Anti-Human Traffic Unit of the Ghana Police Service has arrested a 41-year-old Nigerian woman for trafficking seven girls from Nigeria to Abidjan, allegedly for prostitution.

The suspect, Elizabeth Love Inabah, drew attention to herself at the Elubo Border in Ghana, when she engaged in a heated argument with a man, who claimed was a member of a Nigerian anti-human traffic body.

The argument was over an alleged bribe of CFA70,000 Elizabeth had agreed to pay to the man to facilitate the venture.

The police said following the argument at the entry point on October 7, 2012, the suspects were escorted to the Elubo Border Police Station, where the man, Frank Ike, 38 alleged that Elizabeth was a known human trafficker.

In reply, Elizabeth told the police that Ike demanded a bribe of CFA70,000 from her, for him to keep silent over the issue.

The girls all Nigerians, have since given their names as: Jessica Joseph, Annabel Joseph, Ebie Teli Okoire, Tressure Ovwigo, Sonia Bright, Glory Ayese, and Princess George.

According to the police, suspects Ike and Elizabeth have been placed in police custody by the Jomoro District Police Command while the victims are in the custody of the command.

The police told graphic.com.gh that CFA70,000 had been found on Ike, following a search on him, which had confirmed the claim by Elizabeth.

The police said upon interrogation, Ike told the police that Elizabeth, a known human trafficker, was wanted by the Nigerian Police. He claimed that upon seeing her in the company of the girls from Nigeria, he knew what Elizabeth was up to.

The suspect told the police that he managed to identify all the girls and also established that they were all travelling with Elizabeth.

The police said Ike alleged that Elizabeth told him she was sending another batch to Abidjan for prostitution and offered him a bribe of CFA70,000.

However, Elizabeth told the police that she was taking them to Abidjan for them to learn hairdressing.

She could not explain how she managed to cross with them from Benin and Togo to the Ghana border and was on the verge of crossing into Cote d'Ivoire.

She was also not able to explain why the girls could not learn hairdressing in Nigeria but had to travel to Abidjan for that purpose.

The girls told the police they did not know that they were being trafficked stating also that Elizabeth was responsible for their travel expenses.

When contacted, the Jomoro District Police Commander, Supt John F. Dzineku, confirmed the arrest and said the victims were being taking care of at the district command, while the two suspects are in custody.

........Ghana Web/Daily Graphic