The Taraba State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has successfully freed eight children who were trafficked from Minda Village in Lau Local Government Area.
The children were deceived and taken to southeastern Nigeria under false pretenses. According to the Taraba State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Mrs. Mary Sinjen, the traffickers claimed that the children were orphans and needed to be relocated for care and support. However, the children were instead taken to various cities, including Aba, Onitsha, and Imo states, where they were exploited and sold without their families’ knowledge.
The operation to intercept the traffickers began when authorities learned of the illegal activities in Gembu, Sardauna Local Government Area, where the traffickers were attempting to continue their operation. Acting on this information, NAPTIP and the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs worked together to halt the illegal trade.
“We received information about the traffickers’ movement and were able to intercept them before they could carry out their plans,” Mrs. Sinjen said during a press briefing in Jalingo. “The children were initially taken under false claims that they were orphans, but after an extensive investigation, we discovered that they had been sold without their families’ knowledge.”
The joint effort between NAPTIP and the Ministry of Women Affairs successfully stopped the traffickers before they could transport the children further from their homes. Thanks to their swift action, the children were saved and returned to Taraba State.
After the children were rescued, NAPTIP and state authorities conducted a thorough investigation, which eventually led to the safe reunion of the eight children with their biological parents in March 2025. The children, who had suffered severe trauma from their ordeal, confirmed they had been sold by the traffickers without their families’ consent.
The emotional reunions brought relief to the families and highlighted the importance of such rescue operations in protecting vulnerable children across the country.
“We are glad that the children are finally home, where they belong,” Mrs. Sinjen said. “This successful rescue would not have been possible without the joint efforts of the Taraba Ministry of Women Affairs, NAPTIP, and the public’s help in providing vital information.”
As a result of the successful operation, the principal suspect, identified as Mrs. Patience, has been arrested and is currently in custody. She, along with several other accomplices, has been implicated in the trafficking operation. Legal proceedings are now underway, and the authorities are determined to ensure justice is served.
“Mrs. Patience and others involved in this criminal activity have been apprehended,” Sinjen confirmed. “We will continue working with NAPTIP to ensure they face the full weight of the law.”
The operation was a major victory in the ongoing fight against child trafficking, an issue that has plagued Nigeria for years. While the rescue is a positive step, authorities are still working to locate and rescue other children who may be victims of similar crimes.
The rescue of these eight children highlights the persistent issue of child trafficking in Nigeria, a country that has long struggled with the exploitation of children for forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other illegal activities. Taraba State, like many other regions in Nigeria, is vulnerable to human trafficking due to its location and socio-economic conditions.
The Taraba State government, led by Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas, has made the protection of vulnerable children a top priority. In a statement condemning the trafficking act, Governor Kefas reiterated his commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of children across the state.
“We will continue to protect our children from harm,” Governor Kefas said. “Trafficking is a heinous crime, and we will not allow it to destroy the lives of our young ones. The state government will continue to collaborate with all relevant agencies to ensure that children are safe from exploitation.”
The governor’s statement underscored the importance of a collective approach to tackling trafficking. Authorities have called on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that could indicate trafficking or other forms of child exploitation.
The rescue operation in Taraba is part of a broader effort to combat child trafficking in Nigeria, where thousands of children continue to fall victim to traffickers each year. The government, NAPTIP, and various local organizations are working together to raise awareness and build support networks to protect children from exploitation.
“Child trafficking is a crime that affects the entire community, not just the victims,” said Mrs. Sinjen. “It is crucial for everyone to be aware of the signs of trafficking and to report anything suspicious. Safeguarding children is a responsibility that we all share.”
In response to the growing threat, NAPTIP has continued to strengthen its efforts to prevent trafficking by providing education to the public, training law enforcement personnel, and collaborating with international organizations to track down and dismantle trafficking networks.
The successful rescue in Taraba demonstrates that when government agencies, law enforcement, and communities work together, positive outcomes are possible. However, the fight against trafficking is far from over, and many children are still at risk of being exploited.
As the investigation continues, authorities in Taraba and beyond are focused on locating and rescuing any remaining victims of trafficking. Mrs. Sinjen highlighted that more children could be hidden or trafficked elsewhere, and efforts would continue until every child is safely returned to their family.
“We will not rest until all the trafficked children are located and reunited with their families,” she affirmed. “This operation shows the power of collaboration, and we hope to build on this success.”
As the Taraba government and NAPTIP continue their work, they are calling on all Nigerians to remain vigilant and work together to protect the most vulnerable members of society – children. By raising awareness and supporting anti-trafficking efforts, the hope is to ensure that no more children fall victim to such cruel crimes.
