Tikoduadua urges swift action over alleged sex and human trafficking case

Minister for Defence Pio Tikoduadua is urging law enforcement authorities to get to the bottom of allegations of sex and human trafficking involving three young women in Nadi last month.

Mr Tikoduadua said cases of this nature should be reported immediately to the Fiji Police Force to allow for swift action.

The three women sought protection at the Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ Blackrock Camp in Nadi before being moved to a safe house.

“Everybody needs to come together. I think the important thing is that if you know someone is in this situation, you have a responsibility to report it,” he said.

“We need to protect each other. Parents need to look after their children so they do not become victims of these kinds of threats. We should also look after our women, our children, our daughters, our mothers and our sisters.”

Realising the three young women deserved better protection, Mr Tikoduadua called on the nation to ensure those women are never subjected to that kind of situation again.

“I hope law enforcement authorities get to the bottom of it, then they throw the culprit in jail and throw away the key,” the minister said.

Police is investigating the matter on two fronts.

The first case file, relating to the alleged sex and human trafficking, has been sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

The second investigation, which relates to allegations involving police officers in the Western Division, is continuing.