Eleven Nigerian female sex workers were arrested today during a raid by police officers working in the tourism development area. 

The women, who are between the ages of 22 to 34 years, are suspected to have been trafficked to The Gambia for sex work. 

“The suspected sex workers are usually brought in by other experienced workers who would put them through a spiritual initiation of either taking an oath or taking their pictures to a shrine to swear that they will pay all the expenses spent on their travel, failure of which can lead to madness or even death,” police said.

“A widow and mother of three who is nicknamed ‘Happiness’ narrated how she came to The Gambia by land through an agent who she works for. According to her, she should pay a sum of D200,000 to her master for the travel expenses while on her way to The Gambia

“She also claimed to have already paid D120,000 but she was later sent out of the house on allegation of her involvement in thievery. 

“Consequently, her boss forced her to hand over all the money she had been saving. In her Street walking business, she claimed that she makes two or three thousand Dalasis per night, depending on the market. 

“She claimed to have been saving some money for her return to Nigeria and reunite with her family, but at the same time repaying the remaining sum of loaned money to her defunct boss.”

“When asked if she was aware of her purpose of being trafficked, she confessed that she was informed about it with two other ladies, who abruptly rejected the idea after being told about some spiritual undertakings. 

“She claimed to have consented because she needs the money to support her children, but some of her colleagues were deceived as they came with the hope that they were coming for lucrative jobs and businesses,” police added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba