Nigerians arrested in Rome, Brescia, Iceland in vice probe

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 22 - 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". (ANSA).