By Simon Ebegbulem, Benin-City

THE Benin Zonal Office of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) has received the first batch of 47 girls who are indigenes of Edo and Delta States evacuated from Mali `slave camps’.

Following the outcry by some concerned Nigerians including members of the National Assembly on the plight of some Nigerian girls suspected to be under exploitative condition in some camps in Mali, the Federal Government had directed their evacuation.

NAPTIP, recently, evacuated a total of 104 Nigerian girls from the Malian camps.

The breakdown shows that, out of the 47 girls received by the Benin Zonal Office, 37 are from Edo while the remaining hail from Delta.

The girls were accompanied by officials of the agency from the Abuja headquarters who handed them over to the Edo State government represented by the state commissioner for women affairs and social development, (Dr.) Mrs. Inumidun Idehen.

After the handling over procedure, the girls were ushered into the shelter of the NAPTIP, signaling the commencement of post-evacuation care and rehabilitation in line with the directive and Child Protection Policy of the Federal Government.

The victims of Delta origin were received by officials of the state government, including directors and the permanent secretary of the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development.

The girls were accommodated at a rehabilitation centre in Asaba where officials from NAPTIP commenced counseling and profile documentation the following day.

It was gathered that, in accordance with NAPTIP’s policy on protection and assistance to victims of human trafficking, the proper evaluation of the girls’ personal needs, including evaluation of economic empowerment needs commenced to determine the support that will be given to them.

The girls, who were overwhelmed with the care and attention given to them by the staff of the agency in Benin Zone, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for coming to their rescue and called for support so that they could be properly rehabilitated and continue with life in positive ways.