Authorities have rescued 19 children trafficked from Kebbi State to Calabar, Cross River State, in a successful operation led by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). The children, aged between 3 and 6 years, were saved from traffickers who had been moving them in batches across different locations.
Governor Nasiru Idris of Kebbi State confirmed the rescue during a press briefing held at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi. He explained that NAPTIP intercepted some of the children after arresting one of the traffickers, who confessed that others had already been moved to Calabar. Acting swiftly on this information, officials were able to rescue the remaining children and arrest three suspects involved in the trafficking ring.
“The traffickers moved the children to Calabar under the guise of providing education, but some of them had been sexually abused and subjected to other heinous activities,” Governor Idris stated, expressing shock and sadness at the ordeal the children had endured.
He reassured the public that the government would support the children in overcoming their trauma and ensure justice is served by prosecuting the traffickers.
“It’s heartbreaking to see children in such situations. We can’t even comprehend why these things are happening in our state. It’s tragic to learn that some of these children had been sexually abused,” the governor added.
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Further details about the rescue operation were provided by the Kebbi State Commander of NAPTIP, Misbau Iyan Kaura. He explained that the traffickers typically transported the children to Zamfara State before moving them to Calabar. Thanks to a tip-off, NAPTIP officers were able to intercept the latest group of children before more harm could be done.
“During our investigation, we discovered that some of the children had suffered sexual abuse. We have arrested three suspects, and we are committed to ensuring their prosecution,” Kaura said.