Six Nigerians were arrested in Rome,
Brescia and Iceland Friday in a probe into suspected human
trafficking and exploiting prostitution, police said Saturday.
Italy's Nigerian mafia runs many of the prostitution rings
around the country.
Police said one girl rebelled against the network of her
exploiters who had lured her to Italy with the promise of a job.
During the investigations, other victims were identified,
including minors, who in the company of a 'boga' magical courier
faced a long journey, with physical, psychological and sexual
violence, crossing Nigeria, Niger and Libya, from where they
then left by sea, on a makeshift vessel, to reach Pozzallo near
Ragusa in Sicily.
Once they arrived in Rome, the victims were allegedly forced to
prostitute themselves.
If they refused, police said, they were locked in their homes,
deprived of food and prevented from having any contact with
their family members in Nigeria.
A young girl, who arrived in Italy pregnant, was allegedly
forced to take dangerous drugs for the interruption of
pregnancy, risking death, in order to make her practice
prostitution.
Investigators said they have ascertained that the group used
typically mafia methods, with violence and intimidation, even
against the victims' relatives in Nigeria, to extort large sums
of money, such as "travel expenses" to reach Italy.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi hailed the police operation.
"The arrest of six Nigerian citizens, members of the criminal
organization 'Maphite', for human trafficking, exploitation of
prostitution, extortion and aiding illegal immigration,
represents a significant step in the fight against foreign
organized crime", Piantedosi, said.
"I thank - the minister added - the police forces and
investigators of the Sisco of Rome and the Central Operations
Service for the important operation conducted in the provinces
of Rome and Brescia.
"A result that confirms the investigative effectiveness and
determination of our police forces in fighting all forms of
illegality".
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