NAPTIP Rescues Kebbi Children from Calabar Trafficking Syndicate, Reunites Them with Families

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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Kebbi State has successfully reunited nine children, rescued from a human trafficking ring in Calabar, Cross River State, with their families.

During a ceremony at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, NAPTIP State Commander Musbau Iya Kaura handed the children over to their parents in the presence of Governor Nasir Idris. The children were among 19 minors abducted from southern Kebbi and trafficked by a syndicate operating in Calabar.

Kaura revealed that the syndicate, which included a female lecturer from a Calabar higher institution, had been apprehended and is currently facing prosecution. He disclosed that the traffickers paid collaborators in Kebbi between N280,000 and N450,000 Naira per child under the false pretense of offering educational opportunities in Zamfara State. However, the children were secretly transported to Calabar, where their names were changed and they were sold for various exploitative purposes.

The commander added that the suspects attempted to justify their actions by claiming they acted on the instructions of their church. However, the church leadership denied any knowledge of such dealings.

Governor Nasir Idris condemned the act, warning that the Kebbi State government will prosecute not only traffickers but also negligent parents who put their children at risk. He assured NAPTIP of his administration’s unwavering support in combating child trafficking.

The reunion highlights NAPTIP’s ongoing efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks and protect vulnerable children in Kebbi State and beyond.

Child trafficking remains a pressing issue in Nigeria, with thousands of children falling victim to human traffickers each year. Vulnerable families, often living in impoverished or rural areas, are targeted by traffickers who exploit their desire for better opportunities for their children. In many cases, traffickers lure parents with false promises of quality education, job prospects, or care, only to subject the children to exploitation, including forced labor, domestic servitude, or illegal adoption. This has prompted agencies like the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to intensify efforts to combat the menace and bring traffickers to justice.

Kebbi State, in northwestern Nigeria, has recently become a focal point in addressing the challenges of child trafficking. The state’s geographical location and socio-economic dynamics make it a vulnerable area for trafficking syndicates. Collaborators within the state have often aided traffickers by recruiting children under false pretenses and handing them over to organized rings operating in other parts of the country. Such was the case when 19 children from Kebbi were trafficked to Calabar, Cross River State, sparking investigations and subsequent rescues by NAPTIP.

In recent years, NAPTIP has worked tirelessly to dismantle trafficking syndicates across Nigeria. With the support of state governments, the agency has rescued hundreds of children and prosecuted traffickers. The rescue and reunion of nine Kebbi children with their families underscore the critical need for collaboration between law enforcement, government authorities, and local communities. It also highlights the importance of public awareness campaigns to prevent parents from falling victim to the deceitful tactics of traffickers.

The alarming trend of child trafficking in Nigeria is often fueled by a combination of poverty, lack of education, and weak enforcement of child protection laws. Many traffickers prey on desperate parents, offering seemingly genuine opportunities for their children, such as access to education or better living conditions. However, these children are frequently subjected to abuse, exploitation, and inhumane conditions far from home. In response, the Nigerian government and organizations like NAPTIP have been actively working to disrupt trafficking networks, rescue victims, and rehabilitate them. Despite these efforts, traffickers continue to evolve their methods, necessitating constant vigilance and collaboration between agencies and communities.

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