Prostitutes Olupona

Amotekun operatives in Ondo State have disrupted a human trafficking and prostitution syndicate operating in Mali. They arrested Olupona Matthew (27), suspected of luring young women from Ondo State to Mali under false pretenses.

Conflicting Accounts of Exploitation

During an interview, Matthew claimed he never intended to take the victims to Mali for prostitution. However, rescued victims recounted being deceived with promises of legitimate work opportunities abroad, only to be forced into prostitution upon arrival in Mali.

Broader Trafficking Patterns

This case reflects a broader pattern of Nigerian women and girls trafficked to Mali, Libya, Italy, and Morocco for sexual exploitation. Poverty and lack of opportunities drive this crisis, with Professor Jacob Olupona noting how victims are mislabeled as willing prostitutes, obscuring the coercion involved. Operatives confirmed Matthew’s arrest and ongoing syndicate investigations.

*TAGS* – Mali prostitution syndicate, false pretenses trafficking, victim mislabeling