By Omolola Fadile, Jos
The Plateau State Government has successfully rescued 24 young children who were trafficked from the state to Lagos, in the southwest region of Nigeria. The state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Miss Caroline Dafur, received the minors on behalf of the government in the state capital, Jos.
Speaking to reporters, Dafur expressed her distress at the reoccurrence of this inhumane behavior by criminals, and highlighted the alarming parental negligence demonstrated by some of the parents involved. She emphasized that despite economic hardships, trading human lives and the destinies of young girls should never be excused.
Dafur, who has previously repatriated girls from Edo State and now Lagos State, stated, “Plateau people are known for courage and handiwork, and therefore, economic hardships shouldn’t be an excuse to trade human lives and the destinies of our young girls.”
The perpetrators of this barbaric act are currently in custody, and their parents and families will be invited for a full investigation to prevent the normalization of these illegal activities in Plateau State. In addition to reuniting these girls with their families, the government is providing them with full education and skill acquisition scholarships to improve their lives and secure their futures.
Dafur called on parents to be more vigilant and refrain from allowing their children to be exploited for any reason.
The Plateau State Commandant of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mr. Aldole Agada, handed over the children to the state government. He stated that the situation is a clear case of child labor and exploitation.
Agada said, “Since I assumed office, internal and external trafficking has been on the rise. A total of 178 children have been rescued in the last two years.” He further explained that the rescued children, aged between 13 and 17, are from the Riyom Local Government Area of the state.
NAPTIP has already implemented measures to combat this situation, but Agada appealed to the state government to provide logistical support for more effective service delivery. Mrs. Olivia Dazyem, the Special Adviser on Gender and Chairperson of the Implementation Committee of the Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, emphasized the need for collaboration with relevant stakeholders to prioritize the welfare of women, children, and other vulnerable groups.
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