90 people, including 56 minors, victims of sexual exploitation and forced labour, were “rescued” in four West African countries at the beginning of December.
“An operation led by Interpol against criminal groups responsible for human trafficking and child exploitation in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire and Togo resulted in the rescue of 90 victims and arrest 15 suspected traffickers,” the institution said in a statement on Wednesday.
Among the people rescued during this operation carried out from December 5 to 12, "56 were minors who were victims of sexual exploitation and forced labor in gold mines, in open-air markets or in private homes", perhaps we read in the text.
“As countries and police cooperate ... the net widens and more criminals are identified.
This is the very essence of Interpol,” welcomed Jurgen Stock, secretary general of the Lyon-based organization.
Illegal gold mining and sexual exploitation
In detail, a group of 35 victims, including eight minors, was rescued in Côte d'Ivoire, while two men "wanted nationally for two years" were arrested.
In Burkina Faso, 10 miners were identified on their way “to an illegal gold mine, where they were promised work”, and their “employer” was arrested.
Read alsoPimping in the city, Nigerian networks…: sexual exploitation on the rise in France
In Benin, four children were “freed from forced labour” at the large open-air Dantokpa market in Cotonou.
Finally, in Togo, a Nigerian national was intercepted on her way to Mali in the company of five women, including three minors destined "to work in clubs where they would be sexually exploited", indicates Interpol.
