The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in collaboration with the Taraba State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, has reunited 10 trafficked children with their biological parents in Jalingo, the state capital.
The children were rescued after NAPTIP operatives intercepted a suspected trafficker transporting them through Kurmi Motor Park in Jalingo.
Confirming the development, the Taraba State Commander of NAPTIP, Bako Amos, said the minors were formally handed over to their families after undergoing counselling and preliminary rehabilitation.
“The children have been properly counselled and reunited with their parents. We are committed to ensuring their safety and well-being while pursuing those responsible for this crime,” Amos said.
He disclosed that the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Mrs Mary Sinjen, alongside the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Eric Juyo, visited the NAPTIP command to receive the victims and engage them in discussions.
According to Amos, the interaction was aimed at determining the circumstances that led to the illegal movement of the children from their communities to an unknown destination.
“The visit was also to analyse the challenges confronting the children and proffer lasting solutions through policy development and implementation to reduce the incidence of human trafficking and irregular migration of minors,” he stated.
NAPTIP warned that the irregular movement of children—often carried out without parental consent or based on false promises of better opportunities—exposes minors to exploitation, abuse, and other dangers.
The agency further cautioned parents against handing over their children to traffickers under the guise of economic relief, stressing that such decisions place young lives at serious risk.
“It will not be business as usual for traffickers in Taraba State. Anyone found culpable will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” Amos added.
He reaffirmed NAPTIP’s commitment to the protection, rehabilitation, and reintegration of trafficking victims, while assuring that investigations are ongoing to prosecute those involved.
NAPTIP also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements involving minors to security agencies.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the Ogun State Police Command dismantled an organised child trafficking and illegal surrogacy syndicate operating under the cover of an orphanage. Seven children were rescued during the operation, while five principal suspects were arrested.
