'Slaves' on a different vessel
A top British Government official has said that a ship that was believed to have left Benin with children destined for slavery did not contain any unaccompanied minors and had been confused with a second ship, whose current location was unknown.
The Nigerian-registered MV Etireno, which Government officials had for days said was thought to be transporting scores of suspected child slaves, was expected back in the commercial capital, Cotonou, imminently, Social Protection Minister Ramatou Baba Moussa said late last night.
On board were an unknown number of people who had been refused entry in Gabon more than a week ago because they did not have the necessary travel documents, but no unaccompanied children, she said.
Moussa said the Etireno had been confused with a second Nigerian-registered ship, whose name and location were unknown, which arrived in Gabon at about the same time with about 250 passengers many of them suspected child slaves.
Moussa’s claims could not be independently verified.
‘‘I don’t know what to think,’’ said Nicolas Pron, a senior official with the UN children’s fund in Benin. ‘‘My main concern is that the kids are here and safe, and we will hear if that is the case.’’
