Tina Momo, a mother of three living in Germany and originally from Edo State’s Esan North East Local Government Area, alleged on Wednesday that her traffickers, led by one Joy Thomas, have threatened to kill her for her inability to pay €70,000.00.
Momo, 32, stated in her petition to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Human Trafficking, via the Anti-Human Trafficking/Smuggling in Persons Unit, Benin Command, that she was trafficked at the age of 13 and lured into prostitution in Italy before fleeing to the police in Milano, Italy.
Momo, who is now based in Germany, stated that her troubles began when her traffickers, led by Thomas, threatened to murder her and her three children if she did not pay the aforementioned amount and called on Governor Godwin Obaseki and the relevant authorities to come to her rescue.
Her petition read in part, “I’m Miss Tina Momo. I am from Uromi in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State. I’m 32 years of age. I’m married with three children and we are based in Germany.
“My sister, Elizabeth Aoba, and her husband introduced me to Joy Thomas, who took me to a native doctor in Benin City to swear an oath of secrecy in 2007. At that time, I was just 13 years of age. I was told that I will be taking care of their baby in Europe. They took me to London, en route to Italy.
“Getting to Milano in Italy, I was told by Madam Joy Thomas that I had to prepare for prostitution to pay her €70,000.00 (Seventy thousand Euro). I was scared and secretly ran to meet the Italian police who later rescued me and took me to the refugee camp.
“Elizabeth’s husband, who took me to Joy Thomas, is now after my life in Germany. He said I should pay him the sum of N10m, and €30,000 to his mother and his son named Richard Osadiaye Agho.
“He is threatening to kill me and my children if I refuse to pay the money. He has also forwarded my picture and that of my children to Thomas. Please save our souls. We are no longer safe in the hand of this deadly and wicked madam and her network of traffickers. These people are currently in possession of my pubic hair, fingernails, and my undies.
The petition was also copied to Obaseki, NAPTIP, and the German Government/Embassy.
