The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) rescued 14 trafficked children from Plateau who had been transported to Lagos State.
The Commandant of NAPTIP in Plateau, Adole Agada, who handed the children over to the state government in Jos on Tuesday, disclosed that they were rescued by it’s Zonal Command in Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking further, Agada noted that the rescued children, aged between 13 and 17 years, were liberated thanks to critical information provided by a reliable informant.
He described the situation as an instance of child labor and exploitation, while noting that the rescued children originated from the Riyom Local Government Area within the state.
“We got a tip that three underage girls were taken from Plateau to Lagos, and we swing into action by contacting relevant stakeholders.
“Our men in Lagos arrested one Amina Sadique, the woman who came to collect the three girls at the park.
“Thorough investigation led to the rescue of these 14 young girls and boys,” Agada said.
Agada expressed concern about the increasing prevalence of both internal and external trafficking within the state. He elaborated that these children were predominantly being exploited as household helpers and sales assistants.
He further detailed that NAPTIP had implemented strategies to address the issue and urged the state government to provide logistical support to bolster their efforts.
Upon receiving the rescued children on behalf of the state government, Caroline Dafur, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, expressed her deep dismay and concern regarding the situation. She noted that this marked the third occasion during her tenure when she had received children who had been rescued.
“We rescued four Plateau children from Edo, three from Lagos, and now another 14 from Lagos. This is an unpleasant situation, and as a government, we will not allow this to continue in the state,” she said.
Dafur assured that the state government would ensure that the rescued children are enrolled in schools and skill development programs, with the aim of making them valuable contributors to both their own lives and the wider community.
The commissioner emphasized that the rescued children would undergo comprehensive medical examinations and praised NAPTIP for their achievement.
Nevertheless, she issued a stern warning to parents, urging them to refrain from allowing their children to be involved in exploitative activities, and stressed that those found responsible would face consequences.
Musa Ashoms, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, pledged to enhance awareness efforts, especially in rural areas, to combat this crime.
“We will not allow parents acting on ignorance or hiding under the guise of poverty to sabotage the future of their children.
“We will engage all critical stakeholders to address this rising menace that is putting Plateau in the news for the wrong reasons,” Ashoms said.