Rita Odafe
Rescue and Rehabilitation of Trafficked Minors
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) successfully rescued 21 boys from suspected human traffickers, who have now been transferred to the Niger State Government.
On Tuesday, Binta Adamu Bello, the Director-General of NAPTIP, presented the children to Niger State officials in Abuja.
These boys, aged 5 to 10, were intercepted while being trafficked to the Republic of Niger via the Yobe border by Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) agents. They were subsequently handed over to NAPTIP.
“The 21 boys were caught before being trafficked across the Nigeria-Niger border in Yobe State, thanks to the interception by NIS officials who promptly notified NAPTIP,” she stated.
“After interviewing the alleged trafficker, our Yobe commander informed headquarters, and I directed for the children to be safely moved to Abuja. We also promptly alerted Niger State officials,” she added.
Efforts were made to ensure the children’s safe return, with significant dialogue between NAPTIP and Niger State officials to facilitate their rehabilitation.
“I became concerned when I learned they were intended for an Islamic school in Nigeria, questioning why they couldn’t go to a school in Niger where many exist,” she noted.
Bello praised the vigilance of the officials and emphasized the need for counseling for both the children and their families. She advocated for the children’s education encompassing both Islamic and Western curriculums.
Niger State’s Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Ahmed Yumu, expressed gratitude for the quick actions of the NIS and NAPTIP that allowed for the timely rescue. He acknowledged the necessity for increased public awareness to educate parents on the dangers of entrusting their children to unreliable individuals.
“We must prioritize the safety and protection of our children at all levels of government,” he affirmed.
