Sam Philip
No fever than 8 children were rescued by Taraba State Government, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
The children were being taken to the South East and Cameroon.
State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Hon. Mary Sinjen disclosed in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, that the children and their parents were being deceived and misinformed.
She revealed that the children were trafficked to Aba, Onitsha, and Imo states under false claims that they were orphans.
The children were, however, intercepted in Gembu, the headquarters of Sardauna LGA, where the traffickers were reportedly shopping for more children to abduct.
According to the Commissioner, “Following swift action by the Ministry and NAPTIP, eight of the children have been safely returned to Taraba State.
“The principal suspect, Mrs Patience, along with several of her collaborators, has been arrested and is currently in custody while legal proceedings are ongoing.
“Search and rescue operations are also continuing for other trafficked children.
“This administration remains fully committed to ensuring justice, rehabilitating victims, and strengthening inter-agency collaboration to combat child trafficking.
“We urge all residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. The welfare and protection of our children is a shared responsibility.”
In his comment, the Commander of NAPTIP, Taraba State Command, Mr. Amos Bako Gambo disclosed the children were trafficked with the consent of their parents who were misinformed.
The eight children were reunited with their parents.