At least 19 underaged children, indigenes of Kebbi State have been rescued from human traffickers in Calabar, Cross Rivers State.
Receiving the children in Kebbi, His Excellency, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, expressed gratitude to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), State Government, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), DSS and other sister security agencies.
The governor said: “Today, I stand here before you with a sense of pride and gratitude as we celebrate the successful rescue of 19 underaged children from the clutches of human traffickers.
“This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the collaborative efforts of NAPTIP, state government, and other security agencies, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), DSS and other sister security agencies.
“As a government, we remain committed to protecting the vulnerable and ensuring that our children grow up in a safe and secure environment.
”The rescue of 19 Kebbi children from Calabar, Cross River State, who were trafficked under the guise of education is a testimony to our unwavering resolve to combat human trafficking and all forms of exploitation in our state.”
While assuring the commitment of his administration to supporting initiatives that safeguard the rights and well-being of children, Gov. Idris lauded the security agencies involved in what he described as a successful and results oriented operation.
The governor assured the rescued children that the state government would provide them with all the necessary care and support to help them recover from the traumatic experience.
He stressed the need for the children to have confidence in the present administration, saying, “you are not alone and we will do everything in our power to ensure your safety and well-being.”
Gov. Idris sound a word of warning to those engaged in trafficking business as well as potential traffickers that his government would not tolerate exploitation and harm on children.
The governor said: “We will not tolerate such evil in our state, and we will continue to work tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.”
The Commander of NAPTIP in Kebbi State, Alhaji Misbahu Kaura, who handed over the children to the governor, explained that the arrest of one suspect in the early month of July with four underaged children led to the rescue of other 15 children.
”Upon interrogating one suspect, who was apprehended trafficking four children led us to the rescue of other 15 children, aged between four and six, in Calabar, Cross River state.
”The man had been engaging in this heinous crime of trafficking in children for two years, since 2022,” the commander said.
“This man usually camp the abducted children for two to three days in Gusau, Zamfara State, for them to become familiar with him, before embarking on his journey to Calabar, Cross River State, where we rescued them,” he narrated.
A cross section of the victims interviewed confessed to have been subjected to forced labour, physical and sexual exploitation, abuse, and psychologically traumatized.
