The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has reunited nine trafficked children with their families in Kebbi State.
The children were deceptively taken away from their parents by human traffickers in Zuru Emirate of Kebbi South on the pretext of schooling in Gusau in Zamfara State but were sold into slavery in Calabar, Cross River State.
The children were formally handed over to Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.
During the handover, Governor Idris condemned the heinous act and declared his administration’s commitment to eradicating child trafficking in the state.
He emphasised the importance of prosecuting the perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to others.
“This administration will not tolerate any act of illegality, especially one as despicable as the trafficking of our innocent children. Those responsible for this crime must face the full wrath of the law,” the governor said.
He urged parents to take greater responsibility for their children’s upbringing, stressing the need to value and protect them.
“Parents must stand firm in their duty to train and mentor their children, ensuring they grow into responsible citizens,” he added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Kebbi State Commander of NAPTIP, Mas’ud Kaura, provided details of the case, revealing that the children were initially trafficked from Kebbi to Zamfara State before being transported to Calabar.
“The agent behind the trafficking has been arrested, and the case remains under investigation,” Kaura stated.
“We have made arrests, and investigations are ongoing. The culprits will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
