The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, has rescued five underage children who were allegedly being trafficked to the Benin Republic under the guise of securing better educational opportunities for them.
The children were reportedly rescued in Edo State from a suspected trafficker identified as Pastor Ayuba, who was allegedly transporting them towards the Benin Republic.
The NAPTIP Commander in Kebbi State, Misbahu Iya Kaura, disclosed the development while handing the children over to the Kebbi State Government in Birnin Kebbi.
According to him, the suspect claimed that the children’s parents had given consent for him to take them abroad to enrol them in schools. However, he warned that traffickers often use such promises to gain the trust of unsuspecting parents before subjecting children to exploitation, abuse or forced labour.
The principal suspect has been arrested and is expected to face prosecution after investigations are concluded.
Receiving the children on behalf of the state government, Governor Nasir Idris warned parents to be cautious about allowing strangers to take their children outside the country under the promise of educational opportunities.
The governor, represented by his Deputy, Senator Abubakar Umar Tafidan Kabi, urged parents to thoroughly verify such arrangements and warned that anyone knowingly facilitating child trafficking would face the full weight of the law.
The rescued children were subsequently reunited with their parents.
