The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 19 children trafficked from the Zuru area of Kebbi State to Calabar, Cross River State. The children were recovered from syndicates involved in child trafficking, with six individuals, including a female lecturer in Calabar, arrested in connection with the crime.
Presenting nine of the rescued children to Governor Nasir Idris in Birnin Kebbi, NAPTIP State Commander Musbau Iya Kaura explained that the traffickers had falsely told parents the children would be taken to Gusau in Zamfara State for education. Instead, they were moved to Calabar, where their names were changed and they were sold for exploitation.
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Kaura revealed that the traffickers paid between N280,000 and N450,000 per child to collaborators in Kebbi. He further stated that only nine of the rescued children had been screened and had testified in court against the suspects. The remaining 10 children have not yet been screened or testified.
Governor Idris condemned child trafficking in the state and warned that any parents found neglecting their children would face prosecution alongside the traffickers.
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