The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued five children from Kebbi State after they were allegedly trafficked towards the Benin Republic.
The children were intercepted in Edo State while allegedly being transported by a suspected trafficker, identified as Pastor Ayuba, who claimed he had obtained permission from their parents to take them across the border for better educational opportunities.
Speakin on the successful rescue on wednesday, the Kebbi State agency commander, Misbahu Kaura, stated that the explanation raised concerns because promises of education abroad are sometimes used as a cover to lure children into trafficking and exploitation.
He noted that the traffickers often gain the trust of parents by promising to enrol their children in schools abroad, only to subject them to abuse, forced labour or other forms of exploitation.
“This is how they convince people to carry their children under the pretext of enrolling them in schools abroad, but end up abusing them or putting them into slavery,” Kaura added.
Reacting to the development, the Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Abubakar Kabi, who represented Governor Nasir Idris, warned parents to thoroughly verify individuals or organisations offering to take their children outside the country for educational purposes.
He urged parents to exercise caution and ensure that proper documentation and legitimate arrangements were in place before allowing anyone to take their children across the border.
The deputy governor also cautioned parents and guardians against knowingly facilitating child trafficking, warning that those found to have assisted trafficking activities would face the full weight of the law.