NAPTIP Rescues Over 180 Trafficked Children Across Five Nigerian States

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, says it has rescued more than 180 children trafficked across Kaduna, Anambra and three other states in Nigeria.

The agency said some suspected trafficking syndicates disguised themselves as members of Civil Society Organisations and deceived parents with false promises of educational support before taking away their children.

According to NAPTIP, its latest operation led to the rescue of three children allegedly trafficked from a distressed parent in Kajuru, Kaduna State, and found in a high-rise private building in a highbrow area of Onitsha, Anambra State.

Another child was also rescued from the care of a clinical staff member at the Federal Medical Centre in Onitsha.

NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Bello, expressed concern over the activities of suspected trafficking syndicates that move from one crisis-hit community to another under the guise of educational support and back-to-school programmes.

The agency urged parents and communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious individuals or organisations offering to take children away under the guise of education or welfare support.