her education but was tricked into prostitution by a local
gang.
Blessing, 24, is another girl who spent two years in Russian
city Voronezh cooking, babysitting and serving clients for
money.
Last week, Naij.com published another story of Nigerian girl
who went to Russia to study Economics at a local
university but also had to become a prostitute.
“‘Who told you that there is a good job for you in
Russia? Prostitution is the only job you can do here,’ it
was the first thing I was told by my future female pimp
when I arrived in Russia,” Blessing said.
Nigerian girl, Blessing, is a victim of human trafficking in
Russia. Photo credit: Tatiana Egorova/Colta
According to Blessing, she studied Fashion Design in
Nigeria, however, she didn’t have money to continue her
studies. When one of her friends suggested to go to Russia
and earn some money, Blessing agreed.
“My Nigerian friend disappeared when we arrived in
Russia. Later, I found out that she died. My pimp said I
had to work as a prostitute to return $45,000 that they
allegedly spent on my air tickets and other stuff.
“When I said “No”, they started to beat me up. Two
years have passed but I still have visible scars.
“If I only knew earlier that there were people who can
help me, I would have returned in Nigeria long ago. I
didn’t know there was a way out. My parents and
brothers know what happened to me. They are waiting
for my return,” Blessing said.
Blessing, 24, went to Russia to earn money for her further
education. Photo credit: Tatiana Egorova/Colta
When girls refuse to serve clients, the pimp beats them up
till they obey the orders. If they still refuse to obey, the
pimp kicks them out without passports and money to live.
As girls are far away from their homes and families without
any support, they usually give up all attempts to run away.
“I was told that if I refused to work as other girls, they
would have killed me. But I replied that only God can kill
me,” Blessing concluded.
According to a Russian photographer, Tatiana Egorova, who
met Blessing and other rescued girls several days before
their departure to Nigeria, Blessing is already at home with
her family. Though the photographer doesn’t know how the
24-year-old girl is coping with her life now.
Nigerian girls who became victims of human trafficking in
Russia. Photo credit: Tatiana Egorova/Colta
In Nigeria, the main reasons of human trafficking – mostly
selling women and children for commercial sexual
exploitation – are poverty, social inequality and
unemployment. Almost all international trade in Nigeria is
concentrated in Benin City, the capital of Edo state. Lots of
Nigerian families send their daughters in Europe to escape
poverty.
SOURCE: NAJJ