Top Nigerian female human
trafficker Maria Oda has being detained by the Libyan government.
Oda, known in Tripoli as
Hajiya Aisha, is believed to have trafficked more than 80 ladies and girls to
the North African country.
Yesterday a returnee said
many Nigerians are imprisoned at a Libyan town from where people connect to
Europe through Italy.
According to The Nation,Mr
Paul Eke, one of the 560 returnees from Libya said in Port Harcourt yesterday
that the federal government should “do more by rescuing some Nigerians who are
still trapped in some interior parts of Libya.”
He said:
“I stayed in Zawe Superata,
this place is like an exit point to Italy and so many Nigerians are still being
imprisoned there.” He thanked the federal government for ensuring a smooth
return of migrants, adding that it showed the government’s commitment to its
citizens.
Intelligence report
indicated that Maria Oda was a “notorious” member of a syndicate recruiting
young girls for prostitution, slavery, menial jobs and exodus to Libya, Spain
and Italy.
According to a top source,
Maria is expected to be tried in Tripoli.
The source said:
“After being trailed for
many months, she was arrested. Her profile showed that she is from Akwa Ibom.
She is using the fake name Hajiya Aisha.
“She runs a human
trafficking ring in Tripoli and she has remained in the business for many
years. She had up to 80 girls under her control. She is detained in Tajoura
Detention Centre in Tripoli.
“The Libyan government has
lined up three of her victims as witnesses during her trial. Immediately the
affected girls complete their testimony, they will be evacuated to Nigeria.
“The Federal Government
delegation was briefed about the nefarious activities of Maria Oda.
“I think if the agreement
between Libya and the Federal Government is firmed up, the suspect may serve
her jail term in a Nigerian prison.”
The Federal Government has
been working in collaboration with Libyan authorities to track down those
behind trafficking to the Arab country through Niger Republic.”
A member of the government
delegation: “We are aware of the arrest of the suspect, we have been told. We
are awaiting the outcome of her trial.”
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