It is impossible to determine exactly how many of Benin's children have been smuggled into slavery. Benin government officials are outspoken on the issue of child slavery and have called for international assistance, including help in discovering whether 100-250 child slaves were being trafficked on the MV Etireno, the ship that sparked a frantic international search. Authorities launched an investigation Wednesday, saying conflicting reports meant it was too early to tell whether they were victims of child-trafficking. Jaggli's children's center in Benin's coastal capital now takes care of about 80 children, including 23 from the Etireno. Several men accompanying the boys were arrested, Jaggli said.
Police detain the captain and some of the crew of the suspect ship.
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