IF there is a better way to describe the gory experience that 16-year-old Tina (not real name) had in Burkina Faso; perhaps it would have brought some kind of mental and emotional relief to her at this time of her life as an undergraduate. Unfortunately, the reverse is the case because she is completely disillusioned about life and severed from her closest ties; her parents and family.

Like every young and upward looking young lady, Tina finished her secondary education at the age of 16. She was so full of life and hoped for a bright and brilliant future. Her plan was to quickly proceed to the university to study law and thereafter pursue a radiant legal career. She also had dreams of raising a modest and enviable family of her own.

Little did she know that her parents had a completely different plan in the offing. Barely one week after her School Leaving Certificate examination, a distant friend of her mother came visiting and after some secret talks with her parents, she was told that she would be traveling abroad with the woman. At first, she expressed shock and disapproval, but she soon gave in after her mother assured her of a blissful life of pleasure, wealth and good education.

The next day, she left Makurdi for Lagos with Aunty Rachael (not real name). Few days later, they both traveled from Lagos in the company of another lady and the destination that was supposed to be America soon changed to Burkina Faso. Upon arrival, Tina’s first baptism of fire was that she was told that she would have to sell her body to earn enough money for the good life and education she desired.

Her outburst and threat after she heard this did not go down well with Aunty Rachael and she responded by giving her a good dose of slap to cow her to submission. Tina thought of calling her parents to report what had happened but she had no access to telephone. Few hours later, she was dressed up for the business of the night. Her first client had a tough and rough deal, as Tina was not ready to give away her virginity to a stranger.

Despite her resistance, he managed to overpower her and deflower her. After him came other clients who took their turn the ravage Tina’s smooth and succulent body. That first night, a total of 22 men had sex with Tina. The second night, there was a short fall as 16 men had their feel of Tina’s body but by the third day, the number of clients had increased to 23. By this time however, Tina had lost her mind and become temporarily insane.

It has been four years since the horrific incidence. Today, Tina is 20, gradually regaining sanity and confidence. With the support from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other allied agencies advocating against human trafficking, she is today back to school. True to her dream, she is studying Law in one of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. Her ambition, she says is to be a voice for the voiceless, especially abused girls and women and to fight against oppression and injustice at all levels.

Tina’s ordeal is one of the concerns of Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON) as it seeks to sensitize and advocate against human trafficking.
Speaking recently at a press conference on the equality of rights between women and men for sustainable development in the ECOWAS region with focus on Human Trafficking, the Executive Director, late Chief (Mrs.) Bisi Olateru-Olagbegi, who was ably represented by the Finance Director/Treasurer, Mr. Olakunle Adeogun, argued that there is a direct link between poverty and under-development cum trafficking.

According to him, “when a man/woman is idle, he/she becomes vulnerable and open to all forms of vices that present itself. Although COWON seeks a situation whereby the rate of human trafficking will reduce drastically or better still be completely eradicated, the objective will remain elusive and unachievable until Nigeria is economically strong and viable.”

Speaking further, he expressed concern at the fact that today, a worrisome proportion of young men are being trafficked outside Nigeria, adding that the trend has become very disturbing and should be given due attention by all stakeholders and governments at all levels.

“Sometimes they are lured with the promise that they are traveling for humanitarian purposes or that they are going to enroll in an academy for educational or sporting activities. Later, they are made to bargain for money as compensation but in most cases, the kingpins and barons do not tell these young men or women the real reasons why they are taking them abroad.

“Other current trends in human trafficking are cases where innocent teenagers are being trafficked to other countries for reproductive purposes such as baby harvesting; egg harvesting, sperm harvesting, kidney sales etc.